More than a million households affected by Hurricane Helene are eligible for disaster food assistance under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) D-SNAP program. This program is designed to help residents of Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee recover from the storm by temporarily covering food costs. The aid is particularly aimed at those who may not typically qualify for regular SNAP benefits.
What is D-SNAP?
D-SNAP (Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) provides short-term food assistance to people who have suffered losses due to a disaster. In the case of Hurricane Helene, those affected may have lost income, sustained property damage, or experienced food spoilage due to power outages or flooding. According to Cindy Long, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the USDA, families of four can receive up to $975 in benefits for one month.
The USDA is urging individuals to rely on official government sources for accurate information regarding D-SNAP applications and benefits, avoiding misinformation often spread on social media. Long emphasized that people should visit government websites or call 211 for reliable details.
Who is Eligible?
D-SNAP is available to people who are not typically eligible for regular SNAP benefits. Current SNAP recipients are not eligible for D-SNAP but may qualify for additional assistance to replace food lost during the hurricane. North Carolina will begin accepting D-SNAP applications on Friday, while Georgia and Tennessee will start next week. To learn more about the application process, visit the USDA’s website here.
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Relief Efforts in Affected States
The USDA estimates that nearly 983,000 households in Georgia, 153,000 in North Carolina, and 55,000 in Tennessee are eligible for relief under D-SNAP. This aid comes as a lifeline to many who have been left struggling in the aftermath of the hurricane, with local communities working together to rebuild and recover.