The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday that people recovering from Hurricane Helene may be eligible for food assistance through the USDA Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
It is estimated that approximately 357,291 households in 28 South Carolina counties and one tribe are eligible to receive this assistance to cover grocery expenses. Under normal circumstances, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Food stamps, often known as food stamps, are given to low-income or no-income households to help pay for food.
The application of D-SNAP in case of disaster
In the event of a serious natural disaster, D-SNAP to those people who would not otherwise be eligible to receive regular food stamp benefits and have been affected.
“The USDA “is committed to ensuring that families, farmers, and communities affected by the recent hurricanes receive the support they need, including help with grocery expenses as people face significant disruption to their lives,” the Secretary of Agriculture said. Tom Vilsack. “The Biden-Harris Administration, including the USDA, “We will do everything in our power to help them respond, recover and rebuild, no matter how long it takes.”
Who can get D-SNAP and application dates?
The USDA recently announced that residents in parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee may be eligible for D-SNAP. Today, USDA also announces that four more counties in Florida (Desoto, Flagler, Lake and Polk) are now eligible, bringing the total area where D-SNAP is offered to 144 eligible counties and two tribes in the states affected by the hurricanes Helene and Milton. USDA continues to work with states to offer D-SNAP to their residents.
South Carolina will make its virtual and in-person D-SNAP application period available from November 12-21, 2024 and December 2-13, 2024, respectively. Eligible areas include Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Cherokee, Chester, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Jasper, Kershaw, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg counties , Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union and York and the Catawba Indian Reservation. South Carolina will share additional information on D-SNAP application dates and locations through local media. ANDhe USDA approved the D-SNAP program for other states affected by Helene and Milton.
In the 48 contiguous states, Washington DC, Florida, your D-SNAP application will operate:
- For Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties, applications were accepted by phone, October 28-31, and on-site applications will be accepted in a period of three days in each county, starting November 1 and lasting until December 9.
- For Charlotte, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties, telephone applications will be accepted on November 4 and November 6-8, and physical applications will be accepted within three days in each county, from November 9 from November to December 3.
- For Citrus, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee and Volusia counties, applications were accepted by telephone from November 12 to 15, and on-site applications will be accepted within a three-day period in each county beginning on November 16 to December 15.
Eligible households can receive one month of benefits, equal to the maximum monthly amount for a household. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at participating retailers and online stores.