Access to food aid expanded for people in Hurricane Helene’s wake
By Jaymie Baxley
After the remnants of Hurricane Helene pummeled western North Carolina, it got harder for people to buy or prepare meals in a region that already had higher rates of food insecurity than other parts of the state.
Storm victims may now qualify for relief through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Known as D-SNAP, the program gives eligible residents a one-time payment on an Electronic Benefits Transfer card to buy groceries and other qualifying food items for their families.
The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services has made $120 million available for the program, and more than 150,000 people are expected to be approved. Applications open Friday.
The program is open to people living in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey counties. Qualifying members of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians are also eligible if their home’s ZIP code is 28719.
Below are answers to commonly asked questions about D-SNAP and how to apply for assistance.
Who is eligible for D-SNAP?
Residents of western North Carolina with limited incomes (about $3,100 monthly for a family of three) and resources who suffered financial losses or property damage in connection with Helene, but who are not currently enrolled in a state-run food assistance program.
People who are typically not eligible for SNAP because of a drug-related felony conviction or other restrictions can also temporarily obtain the benefit.
I make too much money to qualify for regular SNAP. Does that mean I don’t qualify?
Not necessarily. If you are experiencing a financial hardship related to Hurricane Helene and need assistance buying food, there’s a good chance you qualify.
NCDHHS says a “number of considerations are taken into account” when determining a person’s eligibility for D-SNAP. Because of that, the agency is encouraging “everyone who needs support to purchase food” to apply, regardless of their income.
What if I’m not a U.S. citizen?
It depends on your immigration status. Several noncitizen groups, including lawful permanent residents, refugees and people who have been granted asylum, are eligible for D-SNAP. Undocumented immigrants are not eligible.
If approved, how much will I receive?
It depends on your household size. If you live alone, you’ll be allotted $292. If you share a household with another adult or a child, you’ll receive $536.
The sum increases for each additional member of your household, but not by a set amount. You’ll receive anywhere from $146 to $232 more per person based on the total number of people living with you, according to allotment limits set by the federal government.
See the chart below for a breakdown.
Is there a deadline to apply?
Yes, and it’s coming up fast. Applications can only be submitted through Oct. 24, which is Thursday. Applications open Friday, Oct. 18.
How do I apply?
There are several ways to apply, although some options might be faster or more convenient than others depending on your situation.
Anyone who applies for D-SNAP must be interviewed by a caseworker before they’re approved. The interview is done over the phone or in person. There is no way to complete an application online.
But you can streamline the process by “pre-registering” through the state’s online ePass service. After you pre-register, you’ll be given a confirmation number that a caseworker can use to pull up the information you submitted — potentially saving you some time.
If you are unable to pre-register online, you can still apply over the phone or in person.
Phone applications and interviews are being handled through the state’s D-SNAP call center. NCDHSS is encouraging people to call on certain days based on the first letter of their last name, but the agency says applicants “will not be turned away” if they call on a different day.
The call center can be reached at 1-844-453-1117. It will be open on the following days and hours.
Friday, Oct. 18: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(People whose last names begin with the letters A-G are encouraged to call on this day.)
Saturday, Oct. 19: 9 a.m. to noon
(People whose last names begin with the letters H-M are encouraged to call on this day.)
Sunday, Oct. 20: 9 a.m. to noon
(People whose last names begin with the letters N-S are encouraged to call on this day.)
Monday, Oct. 21: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(People whose last names begin with the letters T-Z are encouraged to call on this day.)
Tuesday, Oct. 22, through Thursday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(Anyone who needs assistance may call on these days.)
You can also apply in person at offices in each of the eligible counties. The offices are open on the following days and hours.
Friday, Oct. 18: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 and Sunday, Oct. 20: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 21, through Thursday, Oct. 24: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Use the interactive map below to see the address of the D-SNAP office in your county.
What can I buy with D-SNAP?
You can buy most grocery items, nonalcoholic drinks and seeds that produce food. Funds can also be spent on hot food sold at participating retailers through Nov. 3 under a Helene-related provision implemented earlier this month by NCDHHS.
Where can I use the funds?
Any retailer in the state that participates in regular SNAP will also accept D-SNAP. That includes most major grocery stores and supermarkets, many farmers markets and some convenience stores.
The funds can also be used on eligible food purchases from Amazon and other online retailers, but you’ll have to use a different form of payment to cover shipping costs.
How do I use the funds?
You’ll be sent an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which is used the same way as a debit or credit card when purchasing food.
My home was flooded and I’m temporarily staying in a different county or state. Can I have the card sent here?
Yes. The card will be sent overnight to the address you provide when applying for benefits, according to NCDHHS.
What if I am experiencing homelessness or staying somewhere without access to mail?
You can pick up your card at the D-SNAP office that is closest to you. The office does not have to be in your county of residence.
Do the funds expire?
Yes. The funds must be used within nine months, or by July 2025. Any funds left on the card after that will be lost.
When will I know if I’ve been approved?
NCDHHS says applicants will be notified of their approval status within three days of submitting their application.
The post Access to food aid expanded for people in Hurricane Helene’s wake appeared first on North Carolina Health News.
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