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Important Changes to Benefit Programs in Response to COVID-19

The Division of Social Services within Delaware Health and Social Services has changed the following benefit program rules to help protect the health and well-being of Delawareans during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. This information will be updated as changes occur.

To limit the spread of COVID-19, clients are asked to contact the Division by phone or online.

Call 1-866-843-7212 so we can serve you by phone.
Visit Delaware ASSIST to apply.
Please note, walk-in access is suspended.

Benefit Renewals

Benefit renewal deadlines have been extended for 6 months for:

Food Benefits/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Child Care
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
General Assistance (GA)

Households that were scheduled to renew their benefits in April or May 2020 will receive a 6-month renewal extension. Households that are affected by this change will receive a notice in the mail with their new renewal deadline. Households are NOT required to return a benefit renewal form or complete a renewal interview during the months of April or May 2020.

Food Benefits/Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

EMERGENCY FOOD BENEFITS

Households with open SNAP cases may receive an emergency food benefit in March and April 2020. The emergency benefit will increase a household’s current food benefit amount up to the maximum food benefit amount for their SNAP household size. The emergency benefit will be added to households’ EBT cards on April 30, 2020 and should be available the next day.

Emergency Food Benefit Calculation
Maximum Food Benefit for SNAP Household Size – Current Food Benefit = Emergency Food Benefit

*SNAP Household Size*	*Maximum Food Benefit Amount*
1	$194
2	$355
3	$509
4	$646
5	$768
6	$921
7	$1,018
8	$1,164
Each additional member:	$146

SNAP households that already receive the maximum food benefit amount for their SNAP household size or that have a prorated food benefit are not eligible for the emergency benefit.

All SNAP households will receive their regular April food benefits on their normal issuance date.

FOOD BENEFIT PERIODIC REPORTS
SNAP households are NOT required to return a food benefit periodic report form during the months of April and May 2020.

FOOD BENEFIT WORK REQUIREMENTS
Food benefit work requirements are temporarily suspended. Individuals receiving food benefits may still voluntarily participate with the SNAP Employment and Training program for assistance with job search and employment preparation as long as the SNAP Employment and Training offices remain open.

NEED HELP FINDING FOOD ASSISTANCE?

Contact Delaware 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or visit their website.
Find Department of Education Child Nutrition Sites. Delaware families may pick up meal bags for children 18 and under who live in their home.

Unemployment

Apply for unemployment benefits on the Delaware Department of Labor’s website. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions before reaching out with questions. Due to overwhelming call volume, please email questions to uiclaims@delaware.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I File For Benefits Or Contact The Office With Questions?

Workers should file for benefits on our website at https://ui.delawareworks.com/. Questions can be emailed to uiclaims@delaware.gov File an appeal, request an address change or complete fact finding documents on our claimant portal at https://ocs.delawareworks.com/.

Are Claimants Required To Look For Work?

Work search requirements will be waived during the state of emergency for claimants filing for benefits as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

If An Employee Receives Unemployment Benefits As A Result Of A Coronavirus-related Business Shutdown, Will The Employer’s Unemployment Taxes Increase?

Unemployment benefits are proportionately charged to each employer based on weeks worked and wages earned in each individual’s base period. Contributory employers could see an increase in their tax rate, which Could result in higher taxes. Reimbursing employers would be charged dollar for dollar for benefits paid, which could result in higher than expected unemployment costs. Employers are able to apply for a rehire credit.

Is The Coronavirus Considered A Disaster, And Can I Receive Disaster Unemployment Assistance?

If the president of the United States declares the coronavirus a national disaster, and if individuals experience a loss of work as a result, they may be eligible for unemployment benefits and/or Disaster Unemployment Assistance. If Delaware launches the Disaster Unemployment Assistance program the public will be notified.

Are Workers Required To Submit Medical Documentation If They Are Unemployed Due To Their Own Inability To Work Or The Need To Care For A Minor Child?

In most cases, yes. However, the agency recognizes the burden placed on the health care industry during this time and will waive this requirement during the state of emergency

If An Employee Is Ill Because Of The Coronavirus And Unable To Work Or Cannot Work Because They Must Care For A Family Member Who Is Ill With The Coronavirus Will They Be Eligible For Unemployment Benefits? What If A Worker Must Stay Home To Care For A Child?

Delaware will consider this employee temporarily laid off during the state of emergency. The employee should return to work as soon as they are released. If work is no longer available after the employee is released for work or the employee fails to return to work the agency will make a new determination.

If An Employee Is In Quarantine Because Of Suspicion Of Having The Coronavirus Will They Be Eligible For Unemployment Benefits?

Delaware would treat this situation as a temporary layoff. The employee should make every reasonable attempt to preserve their health so they are able to return to work once released.

Does Delaware Have A Waiting Week

Delaware no longer has a waiting week. Claimants should submit a weekly pay authorization the Sunday after a claim is filed and every week thereafter even if they have not yet received a payment.

Will Workers Qualify For Unemployment Benefits If The Coronavirus (Covid-19) Causes An Employer To Slow Down Or Cease Operations?

Unemployment benefits are available to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. If an employer must shut down operations and no work is available, individuals may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they meet the monetary criteria. Employees who are working reduced hours may be eligible and must report their gross wages at the time they are earned, not paid. Delaware makes no distinction between part time and full time employees who are completely unemployed.

Find a job hiring now during this crisis on Delaware Job Link.

Medicaid

Medicaid in Delaware is managed by the Division of Medicaid and Medical Assistance.

Screen for and apply for benefits online at Delaware ASSIST or call 1-800-372-2022 to make an appointment.

Other Contacts
Health Benefit Manager: 1-800-996-9969

Managed Care Member Service:

Highmark Health Options: 1-844-325-6251
AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware: 1-844-211-0966

Long-Term Care Medicaid: apply using Delaware ASSIST or call 1-866-940-8963.

Find Medicaid policies related to COVID-19.

Child Care

EMERGENCY CHILD CARE SITES
Starting on April 6, 2020 and continuing until the State of Emergency is lifted, child care can only be provided by Delaware child care facilities that have been designated as “Emergency Child Care Sites” by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF).

Beginning April 6, 2020, only employees at essential businesses who are unable to work from home can use child care services at a Delaware child care facility. Essential employees must verify to their child care providers that they qualify as essential and cannot work from home.

PROVIDER PAYMENTS – PURCHASE OF CARE (POC)

POC providers who remain open as a designated Emergency Child Care Site will continue to receive payment based on February 2020 enrollment at the normal rate of pay.
POC providers who close and agree to fully pay 100% of staff will continue to receive 100% payment for POC licensed slots filled at the time of closing and receive 70% of the weighted average of Infant/Toddler/All Other/School Age for vacant POC slots at the time of closing. Calculations are based on licensed capacity.
POC providers who close and do NOT fully pay 100% of staff will receive 20% payment for POC licensed slots filled at the time of closing and receive 20% of 70% of the weighted average of Infant/Toddler/All Other/School Age for vacant POC slots at the time of closing. Calculations are based on licensed capacity.

CHILD CARE RESOURCES

Find information, and search for Emergency Providers, on the Child Care page.
Contact Children and Families First at 1-800-734-2388 or visit their website.

Cash Assistance

TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) & GENERAL ASSISTANCE (GA)

EMERGENCY CASH BENEFITS
Households with open TANF and GA cases may receive an emergency cash benefit in April 2020. The emergency benefit will increase a household’s current TANF or GA benefit amount up to the maximum benefit amount for their TANF or GA household size. The emergency benefit will be issued as a check to TANF and GA households on April 30, 2020.

Emergency Cash Benefit Calculation
Maximum Cash Benefit for TANF/GA Household Size – Current Cash Benefit = Emergency Cash Benefit

*TANF Household Size*	*Maximum TANF Benefit Amount*
1	$201
2	$270
3	$338
4	$407
5	$475
6	$544
7	$612
8	$681
9	$750
10	$819

*GA Household Size*	*Maximum GA Benefit Amount*
1	$79
2	$107
3	$144
4	$169
5	$209
6	$239

TANF and GA households that already receive the maximum benefit amount for their TANF or GA household size or that have a prorated TANF or GA check are not eligible for the emergency benefit.

All TANF and GA households will receive their regular April checks on their normal issuance date.

TANF EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
TANF Employment and Training requirements are temporarily suspended. Individuals receiving TANF may still voluntarily participate with the TANF Employment and Training program for assistance with job search and employment preparation as long as the TANF Employment and Training offices remain open.

TIME LIMITS, SANCTIONS, AND EXEMPTIONS

TANF time limit rules are temporarily suspended until after August 31, 2020. TANF benefits will not expire and TANF months will not count during this time period.
TANF sanction rules are temporarily suspended until after August 31, 2020. TANF cases will not be sanctioned during this time period.
TANF and GA clients who have a medical exemption set to expire between March and August 2020 will have their exemption automatically extended until August 31, 2020.

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