Press Releases
PLASKETT ANNOUNCES BENEFIT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS AFFECTED BY ROLLING BLACKOUTS
U.S. Virgin Islands,
August 9, 2024
For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland PRESS RELEASE PLASKETT ANNOUNCES BENEFIT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS AFFECTED BY ROLLING BLACKOUTS U.S. Virgin Islands – The United States Department of Human Services (DHS) allows for individuals who are served through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to receive replacement SNAP benefits due to loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits. Accordingly, individuals who receive SNAP benefits and experience a power outage lasting four or more hours may be eligible to have food lost during the outage replaced. The Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (VIDHS) Division of Family Assistance is presently working to determine qualifications and provide the necessary framework to initiate the replacement of SNAP benefits if the events qualify. “It is critically important for our leaders to respond timely to ensure that those desperately in need of these replacement benefits receive them as quickly as possible, particularly since the recurring power outages affect our most vulnerable populations on a different level,” shared Congresswoman Plaskett. “I must share that my fantastic team were the ones that reached out to the VIDHS several weeks ago to inform them that this replacement program should be made available to Virgin Islands SNAP recipients. I’m pleased that Commissioner Averil George and VIDHS are taking steps to address the food loss being experienced by SNAP recipients in our territory.” Each eligible family will be able to apply for additional stamps to replace food that may have been lost during power outages. Food losses must be reported within 10 days; applications can be picked up at any SNAP office location or downloaded online at http://www.dhs.gov.vi/. SNAP recipients may contact the VIDHS Division of Family Assistance at the following numbers:
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