Many low-income South Carolina households who are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have experienced food losses as a result of prolonged power outages following Hurricane Helene.
Thankfully, these families will get extra SNAP payments to help replace the food that went bad, giving them much-needed respite during this trying time.
How Does SNAP Help in Times of Disaster?
To help low-income households buy food, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) was created. SNAP becomes even more important in times of emergency, such as Hurricane Helene.
Families can replenish their refrigerators without having to worry about further financial burdens when calamities cause food loss because of power outages or damage to their homes.
The decision to offer these replacement benefits to impacted families was made by the South Carolina Department of Social Services in consultation with federal officials.
By taking this step, people affected by Hurricane Helene will be able to recuperate more quickly and maintain their access to food.
Counties Getting More SNAP Assistance
Recipients in the most affected counties will automatically receive the extra SNAP payments. Since state officials have previously concluded that the hurricane caused major disruptions in these areas, no additional verification is required. Among the impacted counties are:
- Aiken
- Allendale
- Bamberg
- Barnwell
- Edgefield
- McCormick
- Orangeburg
- Saluda
These counties experienced prolonged power outages that lasted over four hours, which caused a lot of food to spoil. The significance of this support has been underlined by officials, notably Evert Comer Jr., president of the Bamberg County Council.
The Reason This Help Was Initiated?
After Hurricane Helene, many of families had prolonged power disruptions that left them without energy for several days. This led to severe food spoiling in many households, especially for perishable items like vegetables, dairy, and meat.
When the federal and state governments realized that more than half of the population in the most afflicted counties had been impacted, they intervened to give replacement benefits.
By acting quickly, we hope to save low-income families who are already struggling with the effects of the catastrophe from having to deal with the added strain of refilling their refrigerators.
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How the Replacement Benefit of SNAP Operates?
The replacement benefit procedure is simple:
- Automatic Benefit Allocation: An extra 55% of your September benefits will be automatically distributed to you if you are a SNAP recipient who lives in one of the counties that qualify. This percentage represents the amount of food loss that households endured as a result of extended power outages.
- Money on EBT Cards: Recipients’ Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards will be immediately credited with the extra benefits. To get the funds, recipients don’t need to do anything more.
- Normal Use: In order to make up for the food that was lost during the outages, beneficiaries can use the replacement benefits in the same way as they would with normal SNAP money, buying food at authorized shops.
The healing process is streamlined by this automated procedure, which guarantees that families may obtain the help they require without having to deal with difficult paperwork.
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How to Proceed If Replacement Benefits Are Not Provided?
If your EBT card does not display the replacement benefits and you reside in one of the aforementioned counties, you can take the following actions:
- Verify your details: Verify that the South Carolina Department of Social Services system has your most recent personal information. Information that is out-of-date or inaccurate may delay benefits payments.
- Reach out to the local SNAP office: If your information is accurate but you haven’t received the replacement cash, contact the SNAP office in your area. They can answer any particular questions you may have about your account and offer more advice.
Stambroise: SNAP Assistance For Families Affected By Hurricane Helene In South Carolina: Know Details
