FREDERIKSTED — In light of President Joe Biden’s Executive Order to boost food assistance for children missing school meals, the Department of Human Services’ SNAP office is awaiting additional guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture, Food & Nutrition Services (FNS).
DHS is asking USDA when and if additional benefits will be provided for qualified Virgin Islanders in the FY20-21 school year through its Pandemic-Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) program.
Once the USVI plan is approved by FNS, and DHS receives accurate enrollment data from the Virgin Island Department of Education (VIDE) and eligible private schools, DHS will implement the plan.
Details regarding the process will be provided to the public and individual households once DHS receives guidance and approval in the coming weeks.
To ensure that each eligible student receives their benefits, DHS suggests that parents and/ or legal guardians ensure that their schools have the most up-to-date contact information.
There is no need to contact the DHS SNAP offices as DHS is working directly with the schools to get student data and will announce to the public when DHS has received federal direction and approval.