D-SNAP Offers Crucial Food Assistance Following Hurricane Helene—Apply Now

According to Vibes.okdiario, The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene in specific areas of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This initiative provides temporary food assistance to individuals facing challenges in covering food expenses due to emergency situations.

Eligibility for D-SNAP

D-SNAP is designed to assist individuals who may not typically qualify for assistance under the regular SNAP program. Eligibility is based on specific criteria, including income limits and disaster-related expenses incurred due to the emergency.

D-SNAP in Georgia

In Georgia, approximately 982,930 households may be eligible for D-SNAP benefits, which aim to help affected families meet their basic food needs. The program will be implemented in four phases over several weeks, detailed as follows:

Phase 1: October 21, 2024 – October 26, 2024

• Counties included:
  • Bryan
  • Bulloch
  • Chatham
  • Effingham
  • Evans
  • Liberty
  • Long

Phase 2: October 29, 2024 – November 4, 2024

• Counties included:
  • Atkinson
  • Bacon
  • Ben Hill
  • Berrien
  • Brantley
  • Brooks
  • Camden
  • Charlton
  • Clinch
  • Coffee
  • Colquitt
  • Cook
  • Echols
  • Glynn
  • Irwin
  • Lanier
  • Lowndes
  • Pierce
  • Tift
  • Ware

Phase 3: November 7, 2024 – November 14, 2024

• Counties included:
  • Burke
  • Columbia
  • Glascock
  • Jefferson
  • Jenkins
  • Lincoln
  • McDuffie
  • Richmond
  • Screven
  • Washington

Also read: BrucePac Meat Recall: Contaminated Products Distributed to Schools Nationwide

Phase 4: November 18, 2024 – November 23, 2024

• Counties included:
  • Appling
  • Candler
  • Emanuel
  • Jeff Davis
  • Johnson
  • Laurens
  • Montgomery
  • Tattnall
  • Telfair
  • Toombs
  • Treutlen
  • Wayne
  • Wheeler

How to Apply for D-SNAP Assistance

To qualify for D-SNAP, households must reside or work in one of the affected areas, have experienced disaster-related damages, and meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive food assistance equivalent to the maximum monthly SNAP amount based on their household size. This assistance can be utilized for food purchases at authorized SNAP retailers and, in some instances, at online retailers.

SNAP Recipients and D-SNAP

It is important to note that households already receiving SNAP benefits are not eligible for D-SNAP. However, the USDA has approved additional SNAP benefits for these households residing in hurricane-affected areas of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. This provision ensures that families receive the maximum benefit amount for their size if they are not currently receiving it.

For those already enrolled in SNAP, no further action is needed to access these supplemental benefits, as state SNAP authorities will automatically issue the additional payments.

Supplemental Benefits for Other Affected Counties

Households in counties not included in the D-SNAP phases but still impacted by Hurricane Helene may apply for supplemental benefits through the state SNAP agency. This option guarantees that all affected families have access to essential food assistance during their recovery process.