USDA Approves Emergency Food Benefits for Matthew Victims

In the wake of the storm, many folks who have lost food will be eligible for temporary benefits. County officials will start taking applications  on Saturday.

By Rose Hoban

Residents of areas affected by Hurricane Matthew will be eligible for emergency food benefits through the U.S. Department of Agriculture Disaster Food and Nutrition Services Program, state officials announced Friday afternoon.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP ) logo

State officials held a late afternoon phone conference to detail the emergency program, which will provide people in 18 counties who are currently not receiving benefits Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (also known as food stamps) with a way to get food.

“Folks who have been impacted by flooding, lost food, lost their home, significant loss of jobs, or other impacts are eligible and can apply for assistance with the disaster application process,” said Wayne Black, director for social services and county operations for the state Department of Health and Human Services.

People who simply lost all their food because power to their homes was out for more than 8 hours are eligible, along with the people who have had more significant losses of property.

The application period is short – only from Saturday through Wednesday – so people will need to act fast.

“There’s another part of this… current recipients of Food and Nutrition Services will receive the maximum benefit, based on their household side… automatically through our NC FAST system a supplement,” Black said. He emphasized that those folks do not have to come in to apply for extra benefits, but the benefit will be applied directly to their Electronic Benefits Transfer cards.

To be determine eligibility, applicants for the disaster benefits will need to provide:

• Identification:  Photo ID or any other document that verifies your identity
• Residency (if possible)
• Utility bills, tax bills, or insurance policies, or a collateral (friend, employer, pastor, etc.);
• Social Security Number and date of birth for each household member (do not need Social Security Cards, just the number);
• Amount of take home pay for each household member

“With the D-SNAP program, many of the normal qualifications will be waived by the USDA,” said David Locklear, the chief of economic services for the state Division of Social Services. “Therefore, we will be accepting the client’s statement for other verification, other than identification.”

Locations for receiving applications will only be open for a few days, and they can get help for a one-month certification. (see table below)

“Individuals who wish to be considered for ongoing eligibility would have to return to their social services agency to apply for the regular food and nutrition services program,” Locklear said.

After Hurricanes Floyd, Fran and Irene, people in affected counties were eligible for similar benefits. Wayne said about 98,000 people received the disaster food relief after Floyd in 1999.