SNAP Update: Food Stamps Mass Replacement Waiver Issued After Hurricane Helene
According to Vibes.okdiario, The Georgia Department of Human Services has announced an extension for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to report food lost due to Hurricane Helene. Originally, SNAP beneficiaries were given additional time to request food replacement; however, there is no longer a need to check deadlines as the state has secured a waiver for mass replacement of food stamps.
Waiver for Mass Food Stamp Replacement
Under the waiver, certain counties in Georgia qualify for mass replacement of food stamps. This means that eligible recipients in these areas do not need to individually report food losses from Hurricane Helene. The primary cause of the food loss stems from power outages caused by the storm, leading to spoiled food bought with SNAP benefits.
Previous Deadline for SNAP Replacement
The Georgia Department of Human Services initially informed SNAP beneficiaries that residents in certain counties who received food stamps in September 2024 had until October 25, 2024, to report food loss. However, following the approval of the waiver, reporting is no longer necessary for those in eligible counties.
No Forms Required for Replacement
For SNAP recipients in qualifying counties, there is no need to file forms or request replacements for food lost during the storm-related power outages. These outages must have lasted at least four hours to qualify for replacement. If you reside in a qualifying county, you will automatically receive the food stamp replacement.
List of Counties Eligible for SNAP Mass Replacement
Below is a full list of counties in Georgia that qualify for SNAP mass replacement, effective through October 25, 2024:
- Wilkes
- Wilcox
- Wheeler
- Wayne
- Washington
- Warren
- Ware
- Treutlen
- Toombs
- Tift
- Telfair
- Tattnall
- Taliaferro
- Stephens
- Richmond
- Rabun
- Pierce
- Montgomery
- McIntosh
- McDuffie
- Lowndes
- Long
- Lincoln
- Liberty
- Laurens
- Lanier
- Johnson
- Jenkins
- Jefferson
- Jeff Davis
- Irwin
- Hancock
- Glynn
- Glascock
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- Evans
- Emanuel
- Elbert
- Effingham
- Echols
- Dodge
- Columbia
- Colquitt
- Coffee
- Clinch
- Chatham
- Charlton
- Candler
- Camden
- Burke
- Bulloch
- Bryan
- Brantley
- Bleckley
- Berrien
- Ben Hill
- Bacon
- Atkinson
- Appling
Reporting Deadline for Non-Eligible Counties
If your county is not listed above, you will have until October 25, 2024, to request a replacement for any food lost due to Hurricane Helene. This extension may provide relief for low-income families who were away from home during the storm and experienced food loss.
