Disaster Relief Resources
Mississippi Department of Human Services leadership are closely monitoring the disaster response efforts in communities impacted by last night’s storms and the devastating tornado that tore through many Mississippi cities and counties. MDHS’s disaster response team is in close contact with MEMA and our Mass Care partners (i.e. American Red Cross, Salvation Army, VOAD).
COUNTY OFFICE CLOSURE
• The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) gives food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster.
• Before operating D-SNAP in a disaster area, a state must receive an Individual Assistance declaration from the president. The state must then request and receive approval from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a D-SNAP.
• Once approved for D-SNAP benefits, applicants will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The card may be used like a debit card to buy allowable food at local FNS-authorized retail stores.
D-SNAP Requirements
Because of the unique needs of disaster survivors, D-SNAP uses different standards than normal SNAP. Even if you would not normally qualify for SNAP, you may qualify for D-SNAP if you had one of the disaster-related expenses below:
• Temporary shelter expenses.
• Evacuation or relocation expenses.
• Disaster-related personal injury, including funeral expenses
• Lost or no access to income due to the disaster; includes reduced, terminated, or delayed receipt of income, for a large part of the benefit period.
In some cases, food loss after a disaster like flooding or power outages.
• Once USDA approves Mississippi for D-SNAP, residents will be notified via media and social media.
• SNAP Replacement Benefits Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households experiencing a loss of food due to a household disaster may request a replacement of SNAP benefits. If food purchased with SNAP benefits was destroyed due to a disaster, such as a flood, fire, or severe weather, households may receive a replacement of SNAP benefits. Replacement benefits may be provided in the amount of the loss to the household, but no more than the maximum amount of SNAP benefits issued for the month.
• If a power outage is a result of the weather event and was/is out for 6 hours or longer, replacement can be allowed. Common (worker) knowledge of the damaged area can be documented as verification of the duration of the outage, otherwise, directors will need to find out from their local Emergency Manager and power companies. Power outage must be a direct result of the weather event.
• To request a replacement of SNAP benefits, households must report the disaster to their local MDHS office within ten (10) days of the date of the disaster. The replacement request form (MDHS-EA-508) may be accessed online here http://www.mdhs.ms.gov/snap-replacement-benefits-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/. Households may submit the replacement request form by mail, email, or by using the upload feature on the MDHS
website (www.mdhs.ms.gov).
• Replacement benefits may be provided in the amount of the loss to the household, but no more than the maximum amount of SNAP benefits issued for the month. To request a replacement of SNAP benefits, households must report the disaster to their local MDHS office within ten (10) days of the date of the disaster.
• If you need assistance with this process, don’t hesitate to contact the Economic Assistance Customer Service Center at 800-948-3050. Households not currently receiving SNAP Benefits may apply for SNAP through their county Department of Human Services Office or online at SNAP – Mississippi Department of Human Service (ms.gov)
• Offices in the area already have clients coming in requesting replacement of their SNAP benefits or DSNAP.
For residences that incurred damages to their electrical meters, the Mississippi Department of Human Services Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be able to help with the costs of repairs.
The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides financial assistance to eligible households for managing costs associated with repair or replacement of electrical meters in residence.
To be eligible for LIHEAP, the applicant’s household income must be at or below 60% of the state median income. That is approximately $22,140 for a single-person household, $ 28,952 for a two-person household, and $35,765 for a three-person household. To check eligibility or to apply, please visit www.access.ms.gov to complete the eligibility pre-screening tool.
Please allow 3 – 4 weeks to process applications through your local Community Action Agency. Offices in the area already have clients requesting LIHEAP and weatherization assistance.