Tom Vilsack Secretary of U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that low-income New Mexico residents recovering from the impact of wildfires and flooding beginning June 17, 2024, could be eligible for assistance through the USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack stated that approximately 4,000 households that may not normally qualify under regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rules may be eligible for D-SNAP if they meet certain criteria, including disaster income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses.
“It is a top priority for USDA to ensure New Mexico residents affected by recent wildfires and flooding are not without food,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The waiver will enable New Mexicans impacted by the disaster to put food on their tables while they focus on other aspects of their recovery.”
To qualify for D-SNAP, a household must live or work in an identified disaster area, have been affected by the disaster, and meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive one month of benefits equal to the maximum monthly amount for a SNAP household of their size. These benefits can be used to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or from select retailers online. New Mexico will operate its D-SNAP application from July 10, 2024, through July 17, 2024. The state will provide additional information about application dates and locations through local media.
The timing of D-SNAP varies with each disaster's unique circumstances but always begins after commercial channels of food distribution have been restored and families can purchase and prepare food at home. Before operating a D-SNAP, a state must ensure proper public information, staffing, and resources are in place.
Current SNAP households in the identified areas are not eligible for D-SNAP but may request supplemental SNAP benefits to raise their allotment to the maximum amount for their household size for one month if they do not already receive that amount.
Today's announcement is part of broader USDA efforts to assist New Mexico residents coping with the aftermath of wildfires and floods. This includes:
- On June 27, 2024, FNS approved the New Mexico Health and Human Services Department (HHSD) to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. This waiver allows SNAP households in all 33 counties in New Mexico and the Mescalero Apache Reservation to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through July 26, 2024.
- On June 21, 2024, FNS approved HHSD's request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits lost due to power outages from wildfires starting June 17, 2024. This waiver applies to Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation through July 17, 2024.
For more information about this aid or other available assistance programs, callers from New Mexico can dial 2-1-1 or call toll-free at 855-309-3766. Additional details about New Mexico SNAP can be found at www.hsd.state.nm.us/lookingforassistance/supplemental_nutrition_assistance_program__snap/.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works towards ending hunger and improving food security through over sixteen nutrition assistance programs like school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC, and SNAP. These programs serve one in four Americans annually by promoting access to healthy food essential for optimal health. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through co-developing Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Their report highlights ways to support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy on Hunger released during the White House Conference on Hunger in September 2022.
To learn more about FNS initiatives visit www.fns.usda.gov or follow @USDANutrition on social media.
