SNAP Emergency Allotments Will End in February
SNAP Emergency Allotments Will End in February
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RICHMOND, VA (January 26, 2023) – The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) will release the
final issuance of emergency allotment benefits to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
households in February, in accordance with the requirements of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2023. The new law recently passed by Congress ends VDSS’ authorization to continue issuing benefits
through the temporary federal program, originally established in response to the COVID-19 public
health emergency. The last issuance of benefits will be automatically loaded onto SNAP customers’
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Thursday, February 16.
SNAP households began receiving the temporary emergency allotment benefit in March 2020 through
the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (2020). Per federal guidelines, states were required
to request a monthly waiver to issue these benefits. VDSS submitted this request each month for the
duration of the period emergency benefits were available to continue providing additional food
benefits to SNAP households. Since March 2020, the Commonwealth has issued more than 2.1 billion
dollars in emergency allotments and raised the monthly issuance to the maximum allowable amount
for over 900,000 individuals in Virginia. According to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, emergency
allotments have already ended in 17 states.
Households will permanently return to pre-pandemic allowances beginning March 1, 2023, and
receive their regular SNAP benefit amounts on their usual day of issuance (on the 1st, 4th, or 7th day of
the month). To further awareness of this change, VDSS has mailed letters directly to SNAP households.
Additionally, to support Virginians during this transition, VDSS has also created a dedicated webpage
for more information and resources. Beginning January 28, households may contact the temporary
information line at 1-855-635-4370, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. TTY assistance is
available by calling 800-552-7917 or 866-246-9300. SNAP participants can contact their local
department of social services or visit CommonHelp for questions or account information.
For assistance with applying for food benefits, visit the VDSS SNAP webpage. To access information
regarding resources statewide and in your local community, please contact 2-1-1 Virginia or visit the
VDSS food and other nutritional assistance page.
About the Virginia Department of Social Services
The Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), one of the Commonwealth’s largest government agencies, is
comprised of approximately 2,000 state staff who proudly serve alongside more than 10,000 employees of 120
local departments of social services and community action agencies to deliver critical social services to Virginia’s
most vulnerable citizens. VDSS is committed to ensuring Virginians have access to the high-quality human services
and resources needed to enhance their individual and collective well-being, and shape strong futures for
themselves, their families and communities. The agency provides a wide range of services and resources in the
areas of food and energy assistance, foster care and adoption, child support, and abuse and neglect prevention,
among others. For more information, visit https://www.dss.virginia.gov
