WV Departments of Health, Health Facilities, and Human Services

09/08/2026

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) today announced that residents who lived or worked in Lewis, Upshur, Ritchie and Pleasants counties when severe storms and flooding occurred on July 21, 2026, may qualify for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits or SNAP supplements.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) today announced that residents who lived or worked in Lewis, Upshur, Ritchie and Pleasants counties when severe storms and flooding occurred on July 21, 2026, may qualify for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits or SNAP supplements.

Eligible residents may apply Monday, September 21, through Friday, September 25, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day at designated locations in each county.

D-SNAP is a federal nutrition assistance program administered by DoHS and approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The program provides one month of food assistance to eligible households that experienced disaster-related losses. D-SNAP benefits may be used to purchase eligible food items but cannot be used to purchase alcoholic beverages, to***co, or non-food items.

Households may qualify if they:
-Lived or worked in Lewis, Upshur, Ritchie, or Pleasants County at the time of the July 21 storms;

-Experienced disaster-related expenses or lost income, such as food loss, property damage, evacuation costs, or inability to access funds; and

-Meet disaster-specific income and resource limits.
Where to apply

Residents who lived or worked in the four identified counties may apply at the following locations: (See Chart Below)

What to Bring

Applicants are encouraged to bring documentation that may help establish eligibility, including:

-Photo identification, such as a driver's license;

-Documentation showing residence or employment in Lewis, -Upshur, Ritchie or Pleasants County at the time of the storm;

-Proof of income received during the 30 days before applying;

-Proof of assets, such as checking and savings account statements; and

-Documentation of disaster-related expenses.

Eligible households may receive benefits within one day of applying. For additional information, contact the local DoHS county office or call the Office of Constituent Services' Customer Service Hotline at 1-877-716-1212.

08/29/2026

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) has received federal approval for a temporary waiver allowing SNAP households in Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties to purchase hot foods using their SNAP benefits at authorized retailers, providing additional flexibility for households affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred July 21 and 22, 2026.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) has received federal approval for a temporary waiver allowing SNAP households in Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties to purchase hot foods using their SNAP benefits at authorized retailers, providing additional flexibility for households affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred July 21 and 22, 2026.

The waiver is effective August 28 through September 26, 2026.

President Donald J. Trump issued a major disaster declaration (DR-4932) on August 7, 2026, authorizing Federal Individual Assistance in the four counties. The storms caused widespread flooding, power outages, and damage to homes, creating challenges for some households in preparing and safely storing food.

Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot or prepared foods. The temporary waiver allows SNAP households in the affected counties to use their benefits to purchase hot meals at authorized retailers. The waiver was approved August 28, 2026, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA).

Retailers may need 24 to 48 hours to implement the necessary point-of-sale system updates. While retailers have been notified of the waiver, SNAP households may not be able to purchase hot foods immediately at every authorized retailer.

The waiver is authorized under Section 412 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and Section 5(h)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. DoHS may request an extension of the waiver if conditions warrant additional relief.

For more information about SNAP benefits and disaster-related assistance, visit the Bureau for Family Assistance website or contact your local DoHS county office.

07/30/2026

Happy !

07/13/2026

Here is some helpful info about the School Clothing Allowance Program.

07/10/2026

Applications will be accepted until August 15, 2026, or until the available funds run out.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance will begin accepting school clothing allowance applications on Monday, July 20, 2026, for eligible children enrolled in West Virginia schools. All families must apply and may do so online at www.wvpath.wv.gov or by requesting a paper application be mailed to them by contacting their local DOHS office or by calling 1-877-716-1212. Applications will be accepted until August 15, 2026, or until the available funds are fully allocated, whichever occurs first. To be eligible for approval, applications must reach the local office before the program closes.

The program’s opening had been on hold amid uncertainty over the state’s federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding. Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that West Virginia has ensured that the funding needed to open the program for families this year will be available.

“We are doing this the right way, and we’re working to make funding streams last. COVID-era reliance on one-time money helped create these challenges, so now we are working to put this program on solid footing. Starting July 20, West Virginia families can apply for the School Clothing Allowance,” said Governor Patrick Morrisey.

Each eligible child will receive a $200 benefit that may be used toward the purchase of appropriate school clothing or piece goods for families who sew clothing for their children.

The monthly income for a family of four for the school clothing program may not exceed $3,483. Verification of income for July 2026 must be submitted with the application.

Income Limits for the School Clothing Allowance Program for 2026: (see below)

School clothing allowance program recipients will receive payments on their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. This allows for both online transactions and an increased choice of vendors when purchasing school clothing or piece goods. The EBT card will operate like a debit card and can be used at any retailer who accepts EBT cash transactions. Parents or guardians of children in foster care will receive the school clothing allowance benefit as a check.

Those needing to update their address may do so at www.wvpath.wv.gov or by calling DoHS’s Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212.

07/10/2026

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
Questions regarding the SNAP Healthy Choices waiver may be directed to the DoHS Office of Constituent Services at 1-877-716-1212, or by email [email protected]. Retailers seeking technical assistance may contact [email protected].

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA), today announced that at this time they are discontinuing the implementation of West Virginia’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Healthy Choices waiver while the State and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Administration (USDA FNA) evaluate next steps in response to Aragon v. Rollins, No. 26-861 (D.D.C. June 22, 2026).

The Healthy Choices waiver was approved by the USDA FNA and was intended to encourage healthier beverage choices by removing sweetened, carbonated beverages from SNAP-eligible purchases.

Following a federal district court decision issued on June 22, 2026, the USDA FNA directed participating states to discontinue implementation of approved SNAP Healthy Choices waivers. As a result, sweetened, carbonated beverages are currently eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits in West Virginia, effective immediately.

Retailers should update their point-of-sale systems and related processes as soon as possible to ensure SNAP recipients can purchase eligible items using their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards without interruption.

DoHS is committed to using taxpayer dollars appropriately and to encouraging West Virginians to choose healthy food options. It will administer the SNAP program in accordance with federal law and USDA guidance while ensuring eligible West Virginians have access to their benefits.

Questions regarding the SNAP Healthy Choices waiver may be directed to the DoHS Office of Constituent Services at 1-877-716-1212, or by email [email protected]. Retailers seeking technical assistance may contact [email protected].

07/06/2026

New Deadline for SNAP food losses!

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to extend the 10-day reporting period for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to report food losses resulting from the severe storm that began impacting West Virginia on June 22, 2026.

The extension applies to current SNAP recipients in Boone, Logan, and Raleigh counties who lost food due to the slow-moving storm system, which brought damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and prolonged power outages. Some areas received more than six inches of rain, resulting in widespread flooding and damage to homes, roads, and other infrastructure.

Eligible households now have until July 13, 2026, to report food losses and request replacement SNAP benefits.

Households may qualify for replacement benefits if they:

-Are West Virginia residents;

-Currently receive SNAP benefits;

-Lost food due to a household misfortune, disaster, or power outage lasting more than four hours; and

-Submit a signed affidavit.

To request replacement benefits or obtain additional information, contact your local DoHS county office or call the Office of Constituent Services’ Customer Service Hotline at 1-877-716-1212.

06/25/2026

Important annoucement:

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced today that it will stop accepting applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (ELIEAP) at the close of business on Friday, June 26, 2026.
For questions, please contact your local office, or call the Office of Constituent Services’ Client Services Unit at 1-800-642-8589, or email [email protected]. See less

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced today that it will stop accepting applications for the Emergency Low Income Energy Assistance Program (ELIEAP) at the close of business on Friday, June 26, 2026.

For questions, please contact your local office, or call the Office of Constituent Services’ Client Services Unit at 1-800-642-8589, or email [email protected].

04/27/2026

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA), has received federal approval to provide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) for the 2026 summer period. This program assists eligible households in purchasing groceries during the summer months when school meals are unavailable.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance (BFA), has received federal approval to provide Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (Summer EBT) for the 2026 summer period. This program assists eligible households in purchasing groceries during the summer months when school meals are unavailable.

The 2026 Summer EBT program will run from June 1, 2026, through August 20, 2026, and will provide a one-time grocery benefit. To receive benefits during the initial issuance, households should submit a completed application by May 15, 2026. Applications will continue to be accepted through August 20, 2026, and will be processed within 15 business days after receipt.

Applications can be obtained at local DoHS county offices, through the Office of Constituent Services, or downloaded at bfa.wv.gov/summer-ebt. Applications will be available in paper format only and may be submitted in person, by mail, email, or fax.

Eligibility and Benefits:

Benefits will be issued as a one-time payment, either added to an existing SNAP or WV WORKS EBT card or provided on a new Mountain State EBT card.

Most eligible students will be automatically enrolled through the PATH system if they:

-Receive SNAP, WV WORKS, or qualifying Medicaid
-Are in foster care
-Are identified as homeless, migrant, or runaway
-Are enrolled in WV Head Start

These households do not need to apply and can expect to receive benefits beginning the week of May 25, 2026.

Households not automatically enrolled, including those with students attending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, must apply to determine eligibility.

Summer EBT Income Chart
Eligibility is based on household income:
(See Picture Below)

Families with questions or needing assistance with the application process may contact the DoHS Customer Service Center at 1-877-716-1212 or visit a local DoHS office for support.

04/23/2026

Schedule your interview today and start a rewarding career journey:
Call or Text: 304-543-6860
Email: [email protected]

DoHS is urgently seeking dedicated professionals to protect children and strengthen families in our communities. Schedule your interview today and start a rewarding career journey:
Call or Text: 304-543-6860
Email: [email protected]