D-SNAP Expansion: New States Eligible for Food Stamp Benefits After Hurricane Helene
According to Marca, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits to residents in three states following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The storm, which swept through several states in late September, resulted in widespread destruction and claimed over 200 lives.
To aid those affected, the USDA has announced targeted support for households struggling with food insecurity due to the disaster.
What is D-SNAP?
D-SNAP is designed to provide temporary food assistance to individuals and families who may not typically qualify for regular SNAP benefits but are experiencing financial hardship as a result of a natural disaster. While regular SNAP, often referred to as food stamps, offers ongoing assistance to low-income households, D-SNAP is specifically tailored to support people facing crisis situations.
States Eligible for Food Assistance
According to the USDA, approximately 982,930 households in Georgia, 152,572 in North Carolina, and 54,692 in Tennessee are expected to be eligible for this emergency relief. The rollout of D-SNAP benefits will occur in phases, with specific application dates set for each region within the states.
Georgia
In Georgia, the D-SNAP program will be implemented in four phases:
- Phase 1: From October 21 to October 26, 2024, residents in counties such as Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, Effingham, Evans, Liberty, and Long can apply.
- Phase 2: From October 29 to November 4, 2024, residents in counties including Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Camden, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Cook, Echols, Glynn, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, and Ware will be eligible to apply.
- Phase 3: Applications will be open from November 7 to November 14, 2024, for counties like Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, and Washington.
- Phase 4: The final phase runs from November 18 to November 23, 2024, covering Appling, Candler, Emanuel, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, and Wheeler counties.
North Carolina
In North Carolina, the D-SNAP application period is set for October 18 to October 24, 2024. Eligible counties include Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, and Yancey.
Tennessee
Residents in Tennessee can apply for D-SNAP benefits from October 21 to October 25, 2024. Eligible counties include Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi, and Washington.
Conclusion
The USDA’s extension of D-SNAP benefits aims to provide essential support to households impacted by Hurricane Helene. If you or someone you know resides in the affected states, be sure to check the specific application dates and eligibility requirements for this valuable assistance program.
