The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS) has announced that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will issue additional SNAP benefits to current recipients during April and May. Households not already receiving the maximum benefits will receive a supplemental allotment to bring the amount of benefits received up to the maximum allotment for a household of that size.
This action is part of the provisions set forth by the Families First Coronavirus Responses Act of 2020.
Existing SNAP households that do not currently receive the maximum allotment per household size will receive a supplemental allotment in April and May. Please note the maximum allotment per household size listed here:
- 1: $249
- 2: $457
- 3: $654
- 4: $831
- 5: $987
- 6: $1184
- 7: $1,309
- 8: $1,496
- Each additional person: $187
Note: If you already receive the maximum allotment, you will not receive a supplemental allotment.
The supplemental allotment for April will automatically load to recipients’ SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Saturday, April 11.
The supplemental allotment for May will automatically load to a recipient’s SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Saturday, May 16.
The Department of Human Services is working around the clock with its federal partners to ensure that residents of the territory have access to all available provisions during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.
“The DHS staff is working diligently to ensure that the department is on the front lines advocating for the territory’s vulnerable populations and ensuring that all Virgin Islanders have access to much needed food, cash, childcare and energy crisis assistance,” said DHS Commissioner Kimberley Causey Gomez.
More than 20,000 individuals currently receive SNAP benefits within the territory. Due to the negative effects of COVID-19, that number has increased and is expected to continue to increase in the coming weeks. DHS encourages households with reduced or terminated income to apply for benefits or report changes to their existing SNAP case.
Visit the DHS website: www.dhs.gov.vi under the Division of Family Assistance tab for applications and more information. Applications are also available in specific grocery stores on all three islands, or at the DHS offices located on each island. Completed applications may be mailed, emailed, faxed or dropped off at drop boxes located at each local office below:
Human Services – DFA, 4201 Mars Hill, Frederiksted, St. Croix 00840
Phone: 340-772-7200 or fax 340-772-9591 or email certoffice.stx@dhs.vi.gov
Human Services DFA 1303 Hospital Ground, Ste.1, St. Thomas 00802
Phone: 340-774-0930 or 340-774-2399 or fax 340-777-5449 or email certoffice.stt@dhs.vi.gov
Human Services, Multipurpose Building, Cruz Bay, St. John
Phone: 340-776-6335 or 340-776-6334 or email certoffice.stt@dhs.vi.gov
Be sure to provide a working phone number on the application. Eligibility interviews are being conducted over the phone rather than in-person to help keep everyone safe and healthy.
Please note the V.I. has not been authorized to operate a Disaster SNAP. However, people who are unemployed or have reduced income as a result of COVID-19 can apply for the regular SNAP program.
For more information, visit the Department of Human Services website at www.dhs.gov.vi or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/usvidhs or at U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Human Services. Other options are to email: certoffice.stx@dhs.vi.gov on St. Croix or certoffice.stt@dhs.vi.gov on St. Thomas-St. John. Please ensure a working telephone number is on the application. Telephone interviews will be scheduled.
The SNAP offices can be reached at: 340-772-7100 on St. Croix or 340-774-2399 or 340-774-0930 on St. Thomas-St. John.
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.
