USDA Announces Assistance for Low-Income Florida Residents Affected by Hurricane Idalia
WASHINGTON, September 20, 2023 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) to provide aid to low-income residents in 11 Florida counties recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. The program aims to assist approximately 233,000 households that may not typically be eligible for regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Eligible households in the identified disaster areas will receive one month of benefits to purchase groceries at authorized stores or through select online retailers. The application process for D-SNAP will be staggered from September 22, 2023, to October 14, 2023.
In order to qualify for D-SNAP, households must either reside or work in the designated disaster area, have been affected by the disaster, and meet the program’s eligibility criteria. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack expressed the USDA’s commitment to ensuring that those affected by Hurricane Idalia receive the necessary support to rebuild their lives. He emphasized that the approved D-SNAP waiver for Florida will help SNAP participants meet their food needs during the recovery process.
The timing of D-SNAP implementation is contingent upon the restoration of commercial food distribution channels and the ability of families to purchase and prepare food at home. The USDA requires each state to have the appropriate public information, staffing, and resources in place before initiating D-SNAP. While current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP, the USDA has authorized Florida to provide supplemental SNAP benefits to households in the 11 identified areas, ensuring they receive the maximum amount for their household size.
The announcement of D-SNAP assistance is part of a series of measures taken by the USDA to support Florida residents affected by Hurricane Idalia. These actions include waiving restrictions on the purchase of hot foods with SNAP benefits, extending the reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits due to power outages, and providing mass replacements of lost SNAP benefits in select counties affected by wildfires.
Additionally, the USDA has granted Florida several flexibilities in the operation of Child Nutrition Programs, including the waiver of congregate meal service requirements and the ability for parents and guardians to pick up meals for children. Furthermore, the USDA has waived limitations on the operation of the Summer Food Service Program during unanticipated school closures, allowing meals to be served at school sites.
For more information on available aid, Florida residents can dial 2-1-1 or visit Florida’s Division of Emergency Management. Details about Florida SNAP can be found on the website of Florida’s Department of Children and Families.
The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service strives to combat hunger and improve food and nutrition security through various assistance programs, including school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC, and SNAP. These programs aim to provide consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food for Americans. The USDA also collaborates on the development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, providing science-based nutrition recommendations.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
### Sources:
– USDA: Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
– USDA: Florida Disaster Nutrition Assistance
– USDA: Child Nutrition Programs
Original Story at www.usda.gov – 2023-09-20 16:32:17
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