April 3, 2020
Media Contact: Katherine Morris
katherine.morris@maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Human Services to Provide Over $66 Million in Additional SNAP Benefits to More Than 319,000 Maryland Households in Response to COVID-19
Department secures approval from the USDA to issue SNAP emergency allotments in April and May to households across the State
BALTIMORE, MD — In its latest effort to support vulnerable Marylanders during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Maryland Department of Human Services announced today that its proposal to the USDA to provide a SNAP Emergency Allotment, benefiting more than 319,000 SNAP households across the state, was approved. As a result, Maryland will receive more than $33 million per month in additional SNAP benefits for the months of April and May.
“Under Governor Hogan’s leadership, we are being innovative and exhausting all measures to ensure we are securing every resource available to support Marylanders during this unprecedented public health emergency,” said Secretary Padilla. “I am grateful to the Food Nutrition Service (FNS) of the USDA for their responsiveness and approval of our proposal, as we continue to pursue opportunities that empower residents to support themselves and their families across Maryland.
The SNAP Emergency Allotment is effective immediately, and SNAP households in Maryland should expect to see the additional benefits for the months of April and May, thus increasing their current monthly allotment up to the maximum monthly allotment for a household of that size. Those SNAP households already receiving the maximum monthly allotment for their household size are not eligible. The supplemental benefits will be issued to qualifying SNAP recipients’ EBT cards.
The Food Nutrition Service (FNS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), issued the emergency allotment based on a public health emergency declaration by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act related to an outbreak of COVID-19 when a state has also issued an emergency or disaster declaration.
The request for an emergency SNAP allotment, is just the latest in a series of proactive measures the Department of Human Services has taken to help residents across the state during this crisis. On March 27, the Department announced that it waived work requirements across all eligibility programs, extended the redetermination requirements for Marylanders receiving cash benefits for an additional six months (such as Temporary Cash Assistance and Temporary Disability Assistance), and secured approval from the USDA to extend certification periods and adjust reporting requirements for six months for Maryland's SNAP benefit recipients.
The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state’s primary social service provider, annually reaching more than one million people. Through its 24 local departments of social services, the agency pursues opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide preventive services, and protect vulnerable children and adults in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. Additional information may be found at dhs.maryland.gov.
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