USDA Approves Disaster Food Assistance

By HBTV
Friday, May 13, 2011 | 12:00 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=750

DOUBLE SPRINGS - The Winston County Department of Human Resources (DHR) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

This program is designed to provide food benefits to people who might not ordinarily qualify for the Food Assistance Program. To qualify for the benefits, residents of Winston County must apply in person or have an authorized representative apply for them. Applicants must have disaster damage to their homes, loss of food, expenses related to protecting their homes, or lost income as a result of the disaster and meet income limits composed of net household income plus available liquid resources (cash or money in the bank).

Individuals/families must have been a resident of Winston County on April 27, 2011 to apply for assistance in Winston County. Current food assistance recipients may not apply for benefits at the D-Snap location. Winston County DHR will be accepting applications May 18-20 between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. at the Double Springs Municipal Building (the old National Guard Armory), 23415 Highway 195 South, in Double Springs, Alabama.

Individuals and families applying for the D-SNAP must submit some form of identification, such as a photo I.D. or documents that contain your name and/or address to verify identity and residence in the disaster-designated county. However, if a person does not have identifying documents due to storm damage, they can bring someone to verify their identity. Individuals/families that qualify will receive a one-time benefit based on household size.

After completing the application, qualified individuals and families will be issued an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Benefits can be accessed using the EBT card after they are posted to the account. Benefits will be available within four (4) days after the application is filed.