Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Emergency Allotments were a temporary change to SNAP benefits that began in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. In March 2023, all SNAP households' benefits will return to normal amounts, without the additional allotment benefits.
SNAP Emergency Allotments are ending due to the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2023 law recently passed by Congress, which ends the Virginia Department of Social Services' authorization to issue benefits through this temporary federal program that was originally put in place in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
The last of these additional benefits will automatically load to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards on Thursday, February 16. SNAP households can expect to receive a letter by mail regarding the final February 2023 Emergency Allotment issuance.
Households will return to receiving their regular SNAP benefit amount on the 1st, 4th, or 7th day of the month as normal, beginning March 2023.
For more information, please refer to the below frequently asked questions. You may also contact the temporary information line at 1-855-635-4370, Monday through Friday, from 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. beginning Monday, January 30, 2023.
For more information, please visit https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/snap.cgi or https://www.dss.virginia.gov/benefit/emergency_allotments.cgi.