Life is full of ups and downs. It can surprise you in many different ways. One day you might feel like the luckiest person alive thanks to an unexpected event, like winning the lottery. Some other day your life could turn upside down because of a natural disaster. This is why you should always be prepared and aware of the assistance you can get. The government knows that when a disaster hits, people will most likely need extra support during a tough time. For this reason, they established the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).
What to Know About D-SNAP
Those who have survived a disaster could find themselves in need of further support. The government created D-SNAP for this reason. D-SNAP is a program that can provide food assistance to households that meet the requirements and have suffered food loss or damage due to a natural disaster.
A state needs an individual assistance declaration from the president before it can offer this assistance opportunity to its citizens. Once a state receives this declaration, it must request permission from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to run this program. The states can start operating the program after receiving approval from the USDA. In this case, the program will work in the same manner as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As a result, people will still be able to pay for eligible items at stores that accept the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card.
D-SNAP Eligibility Requirements
Because D-SNAP aims to assist people dealing with a disaster, the program standards will be slightly different from other program requirements. If you are dealing with one of the following disaster-related expenses, you can be eligible for D-SNAP benefits:
- Home or business repairs
- Temporary shelter costs
- Evacuation or relocation expenses
- Personal injury costs
- Food loss due to a disaster, such as a power outage or flooding (in some cases)
- Lost income as a result of the disaster, including termination, delayed, or decreased receipt of income, for a significant portion of the benefit period
- No access to income, including termination, delayed, or decreased receipt of income, for a significant portion of the benefit period
You should also keep in mind that when your state starts implementing D-SNAP, you can ask for a supplement if you are currently receiving SNAP benefits. If you are eligible for the supplement, it will enhance your benefits to the highest level allowed for the size of your household. However, to receive the supplement, you must meet the following requirements:
- Currently, your benefit payments are below the monthly maximum.
- You are dealing with disaster-related costs and losses.
If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits, you may be able to request replacement benefits for any eligible food items that you purchased with SNAP funds and lost in the disaster. You should get in touch with your local office if you have any concerns or want to get information about SNAP and D-SNAP.
How to Get Those Benefits
You should apply for D-SNAP benefits if you are experiencing tough times as a result of a disaster. Before the program starts, state authorities typically tell the public through the press and local media. You should be able to learn more about how to apply, what qualifications you need to meet when they’re open, and other details for your area with the information they provide. A different method of review is to look through the SNAP state directory.
Other Assistance Options
In addition to D-SNAP, there may be other programs that can assist you if you are dealing with a disaster, such as:
- The Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Program for Individuals and Businesses
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
What is Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Program for Individuals and Businesses?
This option for assistance may allow you to receive additional time to file and pay any taxes you owe if you had to deal with a disaster that was officially declared by the federal government. Visit Internal Revenue Service (IRS) News From Around the Nation to check specific information online. You should select your state to view a list of qualifying returns and payments for an extension, as well as other tax-related perks. Normally, to be eligible for this program, you would have to:
- Reside in a county that qualifies for disaster tax relief as determined by the IRS
- Make sure the IRS has your current address
One of the coolest things about this assistance option is that, if you meet the requirements we mentioned above, your account will immediately be coded for filing and payment relief. Nonetheless, you should contact the IRS disaster hotline if you have any comments, concerns, questions, etc. You can call 1-866-562-5227 to get in touch with them.
What is Disaster Unemployment Assistance?
This opportunity for assistance may be useful to those whose employment has been lost or interrupted as a result of a natural disaster. Those who qualify can receive temporary assistance from this program. You must fulfill the following requirements to be eligible to benefit from this program:
- Having your employment suspended or terminated as a result of a disaster that was declared presidentially
- Being ineligible for the basic unemployment insurance benefits
Another key aspect of eligibility is that if you lived, worked, or were scheduled to work in a qualified location, you may be eligible for benefits if you:
- Do not have a job anymore
- Are unable to reach your workplace
- Do not have a place to work
- Cannot complete work tasks because the workplace has been damaged
- Were about to start a new job that is no longer available because of the disaster
- Unable to work due to disaster-related injury
- Had to be the new provider of your family after the head of the household died because of the disaster
Recipients of this program must be able to work unless they are unable to do so thanks to a disaster-related injury or are taking action to return to self-employment. You should wait until your state provides information on availability if you want to submit a claim. Contact the unemployment agency in your state as soon as you can. Some states may only allow you to file over the phone or online.
Overall
Dealing with disasters can be really tough unless you get the proper assistance. D-SNAP, a food assistance program that can help qualified people struggling with a disaster, is one amazing possibility for support. Other programs, such as the Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief Program for Individuals and Businesses and the Disaster Unemployment Assistance may also be able to assist during a disaster. To check the available options and get the information you need, contact your state office.