Семьи Западной Вирджинии получили неожиданные выплаты на школьную форму после проверки программы

Some W.Va. families report surprise school clothing allowance deposits after scrutiny CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Weeks after state lawmakers questioned the handling of West Virginia’s school clothing allowance program, some families say they are beginning to receive benefits they had not expected. Calhoun County mother Farrah Capps said she saw social media posts from people who reported receiving money on their EBT cards. When she checked her account, she found benefits for two of her three school-aged children. “I was actually shocked to see that I had it on there for two out of three of my kids that are in school,” Capps said. Capps said a notice from the West Virginia Department of Human Services said she was automatically approved because she received SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits in July and had children between ages 4 and 10. She said her family was initially denied because of her husband’s income — the first time that had happened during the years she has used the program. “I feel like they just went last minute and just were not very transparent with everybody in the state of West Virginia,” Capps said. “People weren’t sure what was going on.” Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, who has criticized the administration of the clothing allowance program, said the payments may signal that the state’s problems were not as extensive as first believed. “It probably indicates that they didn’t think they had as much problem as they first anticipated,” Tarr said. Some families, however, are still waiting to see whether they will receive benefits. Tarr encouraged them to contact the Department of Human Services, even if they have to leave a message. Capps said the money will still help her family, despite arriving after the start of the school year. She said she hopes families are not left without answers again. “It just felt like we were left in the dark and then got like a surprise the next month,” Capps said. “We didn’t even think we were going to get it.” WCHS has reached out to both the governor's office and the DoHS for clarification on the deposits and are still waiting to hear back.