How to Get Help After Hurricanes Helene and Milton With D-SNAP Benefits

Around 400,000 citizens of Florida, affected by recent hurricanes, are now eligible to be beneficiaries of food assistance from the federal government, according to an announcement made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Case of Disaster (D-SNAP) is available to approximately 407,733 households in 24 Florida counties following the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Florida was hit directly by the two hurricanes in a period of 12 days at the end of September and beginning of October.

Under normal circumstances, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), often known as food stamps, are given to low-income or no-income households to help pay for food. In the event of a serious natural disaster, D-SNAP to those people who would otherwise not be eligible for regular food stamp benefits and have been affected.

Who can get D-SNAP?

You cannot request D-SNAP If you already have regular benefits from SNAP. “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 deal with a significant disruption to their lives,” said the Secretary of Agriculture. , Tom Vilsack. “The Biden-Harris Administration, including the USDA, will do everything in our power to help them respond, recover and rebuild, no matter how long it takes.”

The program D-SNAP will be available in the state of Florida to those who live in certain counties and meet certain income requirements. For example, a household of four people applying for the program D-SNAP You must have an income of less than $3,529 per month.

Household size and amount limits:

• 1 person: $2,171
• 2 people: $2,620
• 3 people: $3,068
• 4 people: $3,529
• 5 people: $4,015
• 6 people: $4,500
• 7 people: $4,948
• 8 people: $5,397
• Each additional member: +$449

Places where the D-SNAP will be available shortly and relevant dates

• For Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor and Wakulla counties, applications will be accepted via telephone, October 28-31, and on-site applications will be accepted in a period of three days in each county, starting November 1 and will have time 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 to December 3.
• For Citrus, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee and Volusia counties, applications will be accepted via telephone from November 12 to November 15, and on-site applications will be accepted within a three-day period in each county beginning from November 16 to December 15.

Eligible households can get one month of benefits, equal to the maximum monthly amount for a household SNAP their size, which they can use to purchase groceries at participating retailers and online stores.