| Eligible families with children enrolled in West Virginia schools can soon apply for vouchers for the state's school clothing allowance program.
The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Division of Family Assistance is accepting applications for the new school year from July 1 through July 31, a news release from the DHHR said.
Applications must be received at the local DHHR office by July 31.
In 2018, more than 98,000 children in the state received the vouchers.
Families with children enrolled in the WV WORKS program will automatically receive school clothing allowance vouchers for each of their school-aged child in the home by mid-July, the release said. Children who receive foster care will be issued a check.
Families who were given vouchers last year and currently receive Medicaid or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits should have received an application in the mail this month.
The monthly income for a family of four who qualify for the voucher program may not exceed $2,146.
“Starting a new school year is stressful enough as it is for our children and their parents, the last thing that they should be worried about is whether or not theyâll have a new outfit to wear,” Gov. Jim Justice said in the release. “Our school clothing allowance program is so very important because it allows many of our students to get new clothes that fit so they can be comfortable and can focus on excelling in the classroom.”
The DHHR said each child who qualifies for the program will get a $200 voucher that can be used toward school-appropriate clothing or pieces to sew clothing.
Vouchers expire Oct. 31. To learn more about the applications, contact your local DHHR office, visit wvinroads.org or call 1-877-716-1212 .
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