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 in parts of Rio Arriba and San Juan counties recovering from the impact of wildfires and flooding that began on 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 25,140 additional households that may not typically qualify under regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rules might be eligible for D-SNAP if they meet certain criteria, including disaster income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses.
“USDA is committed to ensuring that New Mexico residents affected by recent wildfires and flooding get all the help they need,” Secretary Vilsack said. “The addition of these two counties will bring much-needed relief to thousands more New Mexicans.”
To be eligible for D-SNAP, a household must live or work in an identified disaster area, have been affected by the disaster, and meet specific D-SNAP eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive one month of benefits—equal to the maximum monthly amount for a SNAP household of their size—that can be used to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or select retailers online. New Mexico will operate its D-SNAP application from August 12, 2024, through August 19, 2024, except for August 18, 2024. The state will share additional information about D-SNAP 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. 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 don’t already receive that amount.
Today's announcement follows several other USDA actions to assist New Mexico residents coping with wildfire and flood aftermaths:
On July 19, 2024, FNS approved the New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) extension request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. 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 August 25, 2024.
On July 3, FNS approved New Mexico HSD’s request to operate D-SNAP in specific zip codes within Lincoln County, Otero County, and the Mescalero Apache reservation due to wildfires and flooding beginning June 17. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration on June 20 for Lincoln County and Mescalero Apache reservation; it was amended on June 23 to include Otero County.
On June 27, FNS approved another waiver allowing SNAP households in all New Mexico counties and Mescalero Apache Reservation to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through July 26.
On June 21, FNS waived the ten-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits lost due to power outages from wildfires starting June 17; this applies through July 17.
For more information about available aid or New Mexico SNAP details can dial specific numbers provided or visit Supplemental Nutrition Assistance programs online.
USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service aims to end hunger and improve food security via over sixteen nutrition assistance programs like school breakfast/lunch programs WIC/SNAP serving one-fourth Americans annually promoting equitable access healthy safe affordable food essential optimal health/well-being providing science-based nutrition recommendations co-developing Dietary Guidelines Americans supporting Biden-Harris Administration National Strategy Hunger/Nutrition/Health learn more www.fns.usda.gov follow @USDANutrition
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