The increase in the state minimum wage that came into effect on Saturday, July 1, 2023, will not affect the eligibility of the participants of the Nutrition Assistance Program (PAN), reported the interim secretary of the Department of the Family, Ciení Rodríguez Troche, and the administrator of the Family Socioeconomic Development Administration, Alberto Fradera Vázquez.
“Encouraging work and providing support so that people can achieve economic stability are two of our priorities in terms of public policy,” Rodríguez Troche said in written statements.
“This effort strengthens the capacity of our participants to integrate into the labor market and improve their quality of life,” he added.
Rodríguez Troche added that the increase in the minimum wage also has a direct impact on the economy of Puerto Rico by expanding the workforce and improving the quantity and quality of services.
The Department of the Family carried out analysis of the profile of the participants and submitted to the Food and Nutrition Service the revisions to the State Plan of the PAN to adjust the levels of eligibility.
“This new change represents supporting over 200,000 people who will be able to continue working and receiving the PAN,” explained the Secretary for the Family.
Fradera Vázquez recalled that families can access the ADSEF Digital platform to verify the status of their accounts and carry out their procedures remotely. She also mentioned that the ADSEF Digital Tour continues in Walmart stores throughout Puerto Rico to assist the participants.
