The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the expansion of Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (D-SNAP) in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, which left a tragic toll of more than 200 dead in several states at the end of September.
This extension is aimed at helping families affected by the disaster, even if they are not recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits), formerly known as food stamps. D-SNAP will be offered to these impacted families to purchase food, focusing on vulnerable households that would not normally qualify for the regularly available program.
Conditions to Qualify for D-SNAP and States in Which It Will Be Available
The states of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee will receive assistance for approximately 982,930, 152,572 and 54,692 households, respectively. The Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, highlighted the commitment of the Biden-Harris Administration to guarantee the necessary assistance, emphasizing that the well-being of affected families and communities will be prioritized. “No matter how long it takes, the Biden-Harris Administration, including USDA, will do everything we can to help you respond, recover and rebuild,” he said.
D-SNAP is intended for those families who have suffered the ravages of natural disasters and who do not fall within the eligibility parameters for SNAP. The USDA has defined the states that will participate in this program, which will offer benefits in different phases and times. In Georgia, impacted localities will begin receiving assistance from October 21, 2024, extending until the 26th of the same month for certain counties. The following groups of counties will access the benefits in November and will be organized in several stages.
Meanwhile, North Carolina will implement D-SNAP from October 18, 2024, covering numerous counties, including Alleghany and Buncombe. Tennessee, for its part, will offer assistance from October 21 to 25, with specific counties such as Carter and Washington eligible to participate in the program. However, households already receiving SNAP assistance will not be able to benefit from this extraordinary program.
Assistance Amounts Available per Family
The amount of D-SNAP benefits will be aligned with the maximum allocated for the number of people in each eligible household. This means that participants will receive one month of allowances equal to the maximum monthly amount for their household type. For example, a household of five can receive up to $1,158, while a household of two could get $536. This regulation guarantees that, although households are different, everyone has access to nutritional support in times of crisis.
Allocations vary according to the number of household members. For households with one member, the figure is $292, while for each additional person, $200 will be added to the amount. This structure seeks to mitigate the temporary economic difficulties that households face in disaster situations.
Maximum Allowances Available (Household Size and Amount)
- Household size 1: $292
- Household size 2: $536
- Household size 3: $768
- Household size 4: $975
- Household size 5: $1,158
- Household size 6: $1,390
- Household size 7: $1,536
- Household size 8: $1,756
- Each additional person: $200
Procedure to Apply for the D-SNAP Benefit s
The D-SNAP application must be submitted directly to the state agencies responsible for administering the SNAP program. In Georgia, the agency in charge is the Division of Family and Children Services. In North Carolina you must go to the Division of Health and Human Services. And in Tennessee, the Department of Human Services. This procedure is designed to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most during and after extreme weather situations. Affected families are encouraged to apply during the defined period to ensure their access to these critical benefits.
Importantly, although households already receiving SNAP are not eligible for D-SNAP, the USDA has authorized states to automatically issue additional benefits to those already receiving assistance, increasing their allotment up to the maximum allowable for their household size. if they are receiving less. This provision seeks to ensure that all affected households can adequately meet their food needs during the recovery period.