Upshur County Family Resource Network

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 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.

08/28/2026

Information for those who need flood assistance.

08/28/2026

Please read if this could affect you or a loved one.

The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) is reminding Medicaid members to take steps now to prepare for new federal eligibility requirements that will take effect in 2027.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, certain adults ages 19 through 64 enrolled in the Medicaid Adult Expansion Group will be required to complete 80 hours per month of qualifying activities to maintain Medicaid coverage.

Qualifying activities may include employment, participation in a work program, education, or volunteering. Members may combine activities to meet the 80-hour monthly requirement. Members may also meet the requirement by earning at least $580 per month. Seasonal workers may qualify based on their six-month average income.

What Medicaid Members Should Do Now
Medicaid members are encouraged to:

-Keep information up to date. Review and update contact, household, and eligibility information with DoHS.

-Report changes. Report changes in employment, income, or household circumstances through WV PATH.

-Complete required reviews. Complete Medicaid eligibility reviews and provide requested information by the stated deadlines.

-Learn about the new requirements. Visit wvmedicaidhelp.org to learn more about qualifying activities, exemptions, reporting requirements and important timelines.

Members can report changes, apply for benefits and complete eligibility reviews through WV PATH at www.wvpath.wv.gov.

For more information about the 2027 Medicaid eligibility changes, including who may be affected, qualifying activities, exemptions and what members need to do, visit wvmedicaidhelp.org or call the DoHS Customer Service Reporting Center at 1-877-716-1212.

08/27/2026

Starting next Tuesday, Sept. 1st we will be running our weekly Bookaneers! after school program. Every Tuesday from 3-5 PM, children between the ages of 8-12 are welcome to join us for fun activities, games, book club, and more. This is a staff lead program for which parents/guardians do not need to be present.

This program will coincide with the Upshur County Schools schedule, so if there is no school, there will be no Bookaneers!.

08/26/2026

08/25/2026

New tuition and financial aid programs built around one guarantee: what you pay freshman year is what you pay senior year. That, plus real aid on top, helps more students afford a WVWC degree, whether you're from West Virginia or coming from out of state.

08/25/2026