DHS Announces Disaster Food Assistance (SNAP) Relief for Poinsett, Arkansas, Lee, and St. Francis Counties

(Little Rock–) The Department of Human Services has announced counties eligible to receive

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Disaster Assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, has approved the following counties for the Disaster SNAP (DSNAP) as a result of the May 1st and continuing severe storms/flooding: Poinsett, Arkansas, Lee and St Francis Counties. Any household that resided within one of the designated counties at the time of the May I and continuing severe storms/flooding and suffered disaster losses may be eligible to receive temporary DSNAP assistance. DSNAP benefits are provided via an electronic debit-like card and can be used to purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.

Residents in any of the designated counties may be eligible if the household experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of the May 1, 2011 and continuing severe storms/flooding:

• Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business.
• Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems.
• Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period.

Please note that residents seeking assistance may apply beginning Thursday, June 9, 2011 through Friday, June 17, 2011 for the Disaster SNAP. To apply, please contact your local DHS office.

Households applying for Disaster SNAP must actually have lived in the disaster area at the time of the storms/flooding and must have suffered loss or damages.