Hurricane Debby wreaked havoc on the lives of many floridians. The aftermath of its effect continues to resonate with many Floridians, particularly those directly affected. Among other challenges experienced by those affected is loss of food due to storm related damages. In response, Florida state implemented the Emergency supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP) to assist those who were affected by Hurricane Debby.
Emergency SNAP Program in Florida
The emergency SNAP payments also known as Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (D-SNAP) are meant to provide individuals and families who are not already receiving the SNAP benefit with assistance in food purchases especially in the case of disasters such as Hurricane Debby. The payment received from the SNAP program helps to cover the cost of replacing food items that were lost or damaged during the storm.
Eligibility for Emergency SNAP payment
Florida residents who want to benefit from the SNAP program must satisfy the following criteria:
- Residency: You must be either a resident of Florida, working or living in an area prone to Hurricane Debby
- Experienced disaster related loss: You or your family must have loss in the event of Hurricane Debby. This could be damage to the home or loss of food items.
- Income limit: Like any other SNAP benefit, your income is expected to be at a certain limit to qualify.
How to get extra food stamps after Hurricane Debby
If you were among those affected by Hurricane Debby in Florida and received SNAP benefits, you may be eligible to receive extra benefits. Here are steps you can take to request for an extra food stamp.
- Get accurate information from your state: To find out the most accurate and up to date information on how to maximize your benefits from SNAP, first find out from your state’s department of human services or the agency responsible for administering SNAP benefits.
- Contact your local SNAP benefits: Enquire from your local SNAP office to get the most accurate information applicable to your state. Clearly explain the impact of Hurricane Debby on you or your family like loss of food, home damage etc.
- Apply for Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP): Governments may in some cases, may allow individuals and families affected by disaster to get benefits from D-SNAP. To qualify for D-SNAP, you must either be a resident of the area or be experiencing financial hardship as an aftermath of Hurricane Debby.
Application Process for D-SNAP
To apply for D- SNAP, you will be expected to complete an application form providing relevant documentation such as proof of residency and identification, submitting documents showing the extent of the disaster related losses with photographs of the damaged resident or receipt of food items purchased after the disaster. Learn more about Hurricane Debby in Florida here.
