In reaction to the terrible consequences of Hurricane Helene, which tragically claimed more than 200 lives in numerous states at the end of September, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the increase of Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.
Even if they do not get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits—formerly known as food stamps—this extension is intended to assist disaster-affected families.
In order to help these affected families buy food, D-SNAP will be made available, with an emphasis on vulnerable households who would not typically be eligible for the routinely supplied program.
D-SNAP Eligibility Requirements and States Where It Will Be Available?
Assistance will be provided to roughly 982,930 homes in Georgia, 152,572 households in North Carolina, and 54,692 households in Tennessee.
Families that have been devastated by natural disasters but do not meet the requirements for SNAP are the target audience for D-SNAP. The states that will take part in this initiative, which will provide benefits at various stages and times, have been determined by USDA.
Assistance for affected communities in Georgia will start on October 21, 2024, and for some counties, it will continue until the 26th of the same month. The benefits will be made available to the following counties in November and will be structured in phases.
In the meantime, Alleghany and Buncombe will be among the many counties in North Carolina that will be covered by D-SNAP starting on October 18, 2024.
For its part, Tennessee will provide aid from October 21 to October 25, with certain counties, including Carter and Washington, being eligible to take part. However, this exceptional program will not be available to homes that currently get SNAP assistance.
Amounts of Aid Available for Each Family
D-SNAP benefits will be distributed in accordance with the maximum allotted for each qualifying household’s population. This implies that each participant will receive an allowance for one month that is equal to the highest monthly sum permitted for their household type.
For instance, a household of two may earn $536, while a household of five may receive up to $1,158. This rule ensures that everyone has access to nutritional assistance during emergencies, notwithstanding the fact that households vary.
The number of household members affects allocations. The fee is $292 for one-person families and will be increased by $200 for each extra person. This arrangement aims to lessen the short-term financial hardships that households experience during emergencies.
Maximum Allowances (Amount and Size of Household)
| Household Size | Benefit Amount |
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $536 |
| 3 | $768 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $1,756 |
| Each Additional Person | $200 |
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The steps involved in applying for D-SNAP benefits
The state agencies in charge of running the SNAP program must receive the D-SNAP application directly. The Division of Family and Children Services is the responsible agency in Georgia.
You have to visit the Division of Health and Human Services in North Carolina. And the Department of Human Services in Tennessee.
This process is intended to make sure that during and after severe weather events, aid reaches the people who need it the most. In order to guarantee their access to these vital benefits, impacted families are urged to apply within the specified time frame.
It’s important to note that while households that are already receiving SNAP are not eligible for D-SNAP, USDA has given states permission to automatically increase the amount of assistance that they receive if they are receiving less than the maximum amount permitted for their household size.
During the recovery phase, this clause aims to guarantee that all impacted households can sufficiently meet their food demands.
