DHSS First State Food Relief Funds Arrived to Delawareans’ EBT Cards Friday Morning
DHSS Text Message on funds loaded to EBT cards on Friday – this is NOT a spam message! / Image courtesy DHSS
The first First State Food Relief Funds from the State of Delaware – totaling about $5.2-million – were loaded onto the EBT cards of nearly 60,000 Delawareans this morning. This funding represents about 25% of an individual or household’s normal monthly SNAP benefit. This is time-limited support to protect eligible Delawareans’ access to food as we near Thanksgiving. Families will be receiving texts and emails notifying them that their benefits have been loaded. DHSS officials re prepared to issue additional weekly relief as needed this month – be sure to monitor your EBT accounts for updates.
Additional information from DHSS:
The temporary relief fund program is a direct result of the State of Emergency declared October 29, 2025 by Delaware Governor Matt Meyer in response to the federal government shutdown. Under the State of Emergency, the State identified and transferred funds to the Department of
Health and Social Services (DHSS) to be disbursed to those eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food assistance benefits on a week-by-week, as-needed basis, currently limited to the month of November.
“Delaware families should never have to wonder where their next meal is coming from,” Governor Matt Meyer said. “Delawareans cannot eat political promises, nor can they eat pending court rulings. We will continue to work tirelessly for affordability for every Delaware working family every week of the year, even when the federal government is focused on gold ballrooms and benefits for billionaires.”
“Today’s funds reflect DHSS and Governor Meyer’s commitment to keeping Delawareans connected to essential nutrition support,” DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young said. “DHSS is prepared to issue additional weekly relief as needed this month and we encourage households
to monitor their EBT accounts for updates.”
States have not yet received guidance for when to expect federal funds for disbursement of SNAP benefits to eligible individuals.
“We know how vital these benefits are to the families we serve,” DHSS Deputy Secretary Lisa Schieffert said. “Our dedicated staff is working to ensure these funds reach households as smoothly as possible. As federal guidance comes in, we’ll continue to do everything we can to make sure eligible households are supported and informed.”