Malcom Shorter Assistant Secretary for Administration | Official Website
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that residents in certain areas of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee affected by Tropical Storm Helene may qualify for food assistance through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). This initiative aims to support approximately 982,930 households in Georgia, 152,572 in North Carolina, and 54,692 in Tennessee with grocery expenses.
USDA Secretary Vilsack stated, "USDA is committed to making sure that families, farmers and communities impacted by recent hurricanes get the support they need." He emphasized the dedication of the Biden-Harris Administration to aid recovery efforts.
Georgia's D-SNAP will be implemented in four phases across various counties from October 21 to November 23. In North Carolina, applications will be accepted from October 18 to October 24. Tennessee will process applications between October 21 and October 25.
Additional USDA measures include waivers allowing SNAP participants to purchase hot foods until specific dates in each state and mass replacements for benefits lost due to power outages. The department has also approved extensions for certification periods and waived reporting requirements for ongoing SNAP households.
Eligibility for D-SNAP requires living or working in a disaster area and meeting specific criteria. Households receive one month of benefits equal to the maximum monthly amount for their size. More information can be obtained through local departments or by dialing 2-1-1.
Current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP but may receive supplemental benefits automatically issued by USDA-approved states.
USDA continues collaborating with state officials and partners to expedite recovery resources. The department is actively working on flexibilities across its programs to support affected communities efficiently.
For further details on USDA's response efforts or nutritional assistance programs like SNAP or WIC, visit USDA’s Disaster Resource Center or follow @USDANutrition online.
