Department of Human Services seeks $69.16 million in general fund; warns HR1 changes and rising service demand will squeeze local dollars

The Department of Human Services (DHS) told the Legislature on July 30 that it is asking for $69,153,007 from the general fund for FY2026 and warned legislators that a combination of higher operating costs, growing service demand and new federal rules will significantly constrain the agency—s ability to deliver services.

"With our population hovering now approximately 87,000 people ... DHS reaching around 40,000 individuals annually across all our programs and services," Commissioner Avril George said. "We're in fact serving closer to 46 of all Virgin Islanders." She summarized the agency—s portfolio across 84 programs and 15 divisions, from Medicaid and SNAP to Head Start, elderly care and disaster mass care.

Nut graf: DHS presented a combined FY2026 budget of approximately $297.2 million: $228.1 million projected federal funds and $69.16 million from the general fund (a 2.6% decrease in local dollars from FY2025). The department emphasized that federal funding now underpins most core services,…