You may be eligible for 6 forms of assistance.
- Are not already receiving food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is the regular state food assistance program (Current SNAP households may be eligible for supplemental disaster benefits.)
- Were living or, in some cases, working in the disaster area at the time of the disaster
- Experienced at least one of the following adverse effects:
- Unreimbursed disaster-related expenses (e.g., home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, evacuation expenses, home/business protection, disaster-related personal injury including funeral expenses)
- Lost or inaccessible income
- In some cases, households that have experienced food loss without incurring other disaster-related expenses may be eligible
Your eligibility for Food for Florida is based on your “disaster gross income” or DGI. When you apply for benefits, your caseworker will calculate your DGI by adding your take-home pay, unearned income (such as public assistance payments) and liquid resources (such as bank accounts and cash on hand) and subtract your unreimbursed disaster-related expenses.
The maximum DGI is set each year and is based on household size. If your DGI is less than the maximum you may qualify for Food for Florida. To see current DGIs for various household sizes visit:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/government/FY11_Income_Standards.htm
If there is a presidential declaration, you can apply for Food for Florida when you complete the application process on DisasterAssistance.gov.
You can access a listing of Food for Florida application sites in your area at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/servicecenters.shtml#svcctrs
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) can authorize the issuance of D-SNAP when the President declares a major disaster for individual assistance. States must request that FNS allow them to issue emergency benefits in areas affected by a disaster. FNS works closely with states to prepare plans for D-SNAP.
USDA provides administrative funding to individual states, which operate their own D-SNAP programs. USDA funds 100 percent of the costs of D-SNAP benefits for eligible households. While program requirements vary somewhat from state to state, those eligible for D-SNAP typically must have experienced one of the following:
- Food damaged by disaster event or spoiled due to power outage
- Disaster-related expenses not expected to be reimbursed during the benefit period (e.g., home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, evacuation expenses, home/business protection, disaster-related personal injury including funeral expenses)
- Lost or inaccessible income, including reduction or termination of income, or a delay in receipt of income for half the benefit period
Each household's circumstances must be reviewed by state human services agency certification staff to determine eligibility. Currently, applicants must apply in person directly to each state D-SNAP program for benefits.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/contact_info/hotlines.htm
Individuals may also apply in-person using a paper application at a disaster services site. Mobile units may also be operating to assist special needs populations or isolated areas.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/disasters/disaster.htm
The Louisiana Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) is the state of Louisiana's disaster food assistance program for low to moderate-income residents. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approves a state request to operate a D-SNAP after the state has received a Presidential disaster declaration for individual assistance and grocery stores are open and operating in your area. Once program operations have been approved, the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) will set a limited period for you to file a Louisiana D-SNAP application.
You are eligible for food assistance through the Louisiana D-SNAP if you:
- Are not currently receiving food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is the regular food assistance program (current SNAP households may be eligible for supplemental disaster benefits)
- Were living or, in some cases, working in the disaster area at the time of the disaster
- Experienced at least one of the following adverse effects:
- Unreimbursed disaster related expenses (e.g., home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, evacuation expenses, home/business protection or disaster-related injury including funeral expenses)
- Lost or inaccessible income
- Plan to buy food during the disaster benefit period
In some cases, households that have experienced food loss without incurring other disaster related expenses may be eligible.
Your eligibility for Louisiana D-SNAP is based on your “disaster gross income” or DGI. When you apply for benefits, your caseworker will calculate your DGI by adding your take-home pay, unearned income (such as public assistance payments) and liquid resources (such as bank accounts and cash on hand) and subtract your unreimbursed disaster related expenses.
The maximum DGI is set each year and is based on household size. If your DGI is less than or equal to the maximum you may qualify for Louisiana D-SNAP. To see current DGIs for various household sizes visit: http://www.fns.usda.go v/snap/government/FY11_Income_Standards.htm.
You can also pre-register over the telephone at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578).
If you are visually impaired, please call the Customer Service Center at 1-888-LAHELPU (1-888-524-3578) for assistance to register an account.
Louisiana DCFS certification staff must review your household’s circumstances to determine eligibility and complete the full application process to receive benefits. Once you have completed the pre-registration process for Louisiana D-SNAP benefits online or through the help line, you must complete the application process in person at an application processing site in your area to show proof of identity and obtain your Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card will be loaded with your Louisiana D-SNAP benefits and works like a debit card at most grocery stores.
When there is a Presidentially declared major disaster for which individuals are eligible for assistance, the state of Mississippi may request authorization to issue disaster food assistance benefits. The United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approves state requests to operate D-SNAP after the state has received a Presidential disaster declaration for individual assistance and grocery stores are open and operating in your area. Once program operations have been approved, the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) will set a limited period for you to file a D-SNAP application.
You may be eligible for food assistance through the Mississippi D-SNAP if you:
- Are not already receiving food benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is the regular state food assistance program (Current SNAP households may be eligible for supplemental disaster benefits);
- Were living or, in some cases, working in the disaster area at the time of the disaster; and
- Experienced at least one of the following adverse effects:
- Unreimbursed disaster-related expenses (e.g., home or business repairs, temporary shelter expenses, evacuation expenses, home/business protection, disaster-related personal injury including funeral expenses); and
- Lost or inaccessible income
Your eligibility for D-SNAP benefits is based on your “Disaster Gross Income” or DGI. When you apply for benefits, your caseworker will calculate your DGI by adding your take-home pay, unearned income (such as public assistance payments) and liquid resources (such as bank accounts and cash on hand) and subtracting your unreimbursed disaster-related expenses.
The maximum DGI is set each year and is based on household size. If your DGI is less than or equal to the maximum you may qualify for D-SNAP. To see current DGIs for various household sizes visit:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/government/FY11_Income_Standards.htm
You can access a listing of Mississippi application sites in your area at: www.mdhs.state.ms.us
Additionally, 46 State agencies operate the WIC Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), which provides fresh, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables to WIC participants, and expands the awareness and use of farmers’ markets.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/howtoapply/incomeguidelines.htm For more information, visit: http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
When there is a Presidentially declared major disaster for which individuals are eligible for assistance, the state of Texas may request authorization to issue disaster food assistance benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service approves a state request to operate Disaster SNAP after the state has received a Presidential disaster declaration for individual assistance and grocery stores are open and operating in your area. Once program operations have been approved, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will set a limited period for you to file a Disaster SNAP application. If eligible, residents will receive one month’s worth of disaster food assistance benefits that are accessed using an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
You are eligible for Disaster SNAP benefits after a disaster in Texas if you:
- Are currently not receiving regular SNAP benefits (current SNAP households may be eligible for supplemental disaster benefits)
- Were living in the disaster area at the time of the disaster.
- Experienced at least one qualifying disaster related expense, such as:
- Lost or inaccessible income
- Home or business repairs
- Temporary shelter expenses
- Evacuation expenses
- Home/business protection against storm damage expenses
- Cost to replace personal or household items
- Clean-up expenses
- Personal injury, including funeral expenses
A household’s eligibility for Disaster SNAP is based on its “disaster gross income” or simply its disaster income. When a household submits a Disaster SNAP application, a caseworker will calculate the disaster income by adding total take-home pay, unearned income (such as Social Security payments) and liquid resources (such as bank accounts and cash on hand). The maximum Disaster Income Limits are set each year at the Federal level and are based on household size. Texas also adds a standard disaster-related expense deduction to the Federal limits, so you may qualify even if your income is above the Federal limits. If your disaster income is less than the maximum you may qualify for Disaster SNAP. To see the current Federal Disaster Income Limits for various household sizes visit: http://www.fns.usda.go v/snap/government/FY11_Income_Standards.htm
http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/index.shtml
Current SNAP and new D-SNAP customers can find information about which retailers are open for business in a given disaster area by calling the Lone Star Help Desk toll-free at 1-800-777-7EBT (1-800-777-7328).
