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GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES Press Contact: Kimberley Causey-Gomez, Commissioner Phone: (340) 718-2980 kimberley.causeygomez@dhs.vi.gov PRESS RELEASE VI Department of Human Services Announces the Issuance of the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Funds For Immediate Release: May 17, 2022 U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS – The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Family Assistance (DFA) today announced that a one-time cash allotment totaling $192,000.00, authorized by the American Rescue Plan through the Administration of Children and Families, will be issued to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) recipients during the week of May 16, 2022. On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) establishing the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) in section 403(c) of the Social Security Act. The PEAF provided funding to states and territories to assist needy families impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Commissioner Causey-Gomez stated that “The PEAF funding will provide much needed resources to aid families with the lowest incomes in the territory meet their added expenses or debts related to the pandemic. The extra costs of weathering the pandemic have made it even harder for TANF recipients to make ends meet. By using the PEAF funds to provide non-recurring payments to TANF recipients in addition to their regular monthly benefit, the PEAF Funds can help reduce new hardships for low-income families throughout the territory.” The PEAF will be issued to eligible TANF families’ bank accounts via direct deposits. Each TANF head of household will receive a one-time cash allotment of $1,200.00 and $300.00 for each eligible minor in the household. Clients who were enrolled in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program from March 2021 through March 2022 have been deemed eligible to receive PEAF benefits. DHS will issue notices to eligible TANF Heads of Households indicating the amount of funds to be issued to their bank accounts. Commissioner Causey-Gomez also shared PEAF funding will soon be made available to non-TANF recipients. Eligibility requirements will be issued along with the date PEAF applications will be available to the public. For any questions or clarification, please contact the following telephone numbers: DHS Issuance of PEAF to TANF Recipients Press Release St. Croix District (340) 772-7100 (Ask for the TANF/JOBS Office) St. Thomas/St. John District (340) 774-2399 (Ask for the TANF/JOBS Office) Territorial PEAF Hotline (340) 772-7120 For more information, please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs) at US Virgin Islands Department of Human Services. The Department of Human Services (VIDHS) exists to provide social services to members in our community with diverse needs. In times of national uncertainty and hardship we act as a safety- net and exist to inspire hope and empower change through non-judgmental, quality delivery of needed services and resources. Please visit the Department of Human Services website, www.dhs.gov.vi for more information. For more information on COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, please visit the USVI Department of Health's website, www.doh.vi.gov/coronavirus or text COVID19USVI to 888777. #COVID19USVI The Bryan-Roach Administration is investing in the Territory’s people, infrastructure, and future through transparency, stabilizing the economy, restoring trust in the government, and ensuring that recovery projects are completed as quickly as possible. Visit transparency.vi.gov. ###