Q: Will MDHS offer Disaster SNAP ( DSNAP) since it is usually offered after a disaster, such as a tornado?
A: Yes, The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) is for people who do not currently receive SNAP benefits but had food, job and/or property losses in the March 24-25,2023 storm.
Regular SNAP households DO NOT need to apply for DSNAP. Impacted households that receive regular SNAP benefits in Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe counties will receive information in the next few days regarding the replacement of their additional SNAP supplement. No replacement benefit or DSNAP application is necessary. There is no need to contact your county office.
Q: Who is eligible for D-SNAP
- Are you a current SNAP participant? If NO, please answer the following question:
- Was your household living in Montgomery County, Carroll County, Sharkey County, Humphreys County, Monroe County, Panola County, at the time of the disaster? If yes, please answer the following questions:
- Did the disaster damage or destroy your home or self-employment property?
- Does your household have any additional out-of-pocket expenses as a result of the disaster?
- Does your household plan to buy food before the end of the disaster period?
- Did the disaster delay, reduce or stop your household’s income?
- Does your household have any cash or money in checking or savings accounts which you were unable to access because the bank is/was closed due to the disaster?
Q: How do I receive replacement SNAP benefits?
A: Residents of Panola and Montgomery counties have until April 24, 2023 to submit a SNAP replacement application. 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/.
Regular SNAP households DO NOT need to apply for DSNAP. Impacted households that receive regular SNAP benefits in Sharkey, Humphreys, Carroll, and Monroe counties will receive information in the next few days regarding the replacement of their additional SNAP supplement. No replacement benefit or DSNAP application is necessary. There is no need to contact your county office.
Q: How long do I have to request replacement SNAP benefits?
A: SNAP households in the following counties who suffered food loss as the result of the tornadoes have until Monday, April 24, 2023, to request replacement benefits: Holmes, Montgomery, Sharkey, Humphreys, Panola, Carroll, and Monroe.
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/.
Q: What if the power has been out at my home due to severe weather? Can I request replacement SNAP benefits?
A: If a power outage is a result of the weather event and was/is out for 6 hours or longer, a 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 outages must be a direct result of the weather event.
Q: If I received replacement SNAP due to the severe weather, would I qualify for Disaster SNAP ( DSNAP)?
A: If you have already requested replacement SNAP benefits due to the severe weather and have received the benefits, you will not qualify to receive Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP); to learn more about the current resources available, please visit Disaster and Replacement SNAP – Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov).
Q: Where can I apply for DSNAP?
A: DSNAP applicants MUST go to the DSNAP site in their county of residence to apply and receive benefits, if eligible.
D-SNAP applications will be taken in Montgomery, Humphreys, Sharkey, and Carroll counties the week of April 17-22.
Applications will be taken in Monroe and Panola counties the week of April 25-30.
For locations visit, Disaster and Replacement SNAP – Mississippi Department of Human Services (ms.gov)
Accommodations will be made for older adults and those with disabilities to reduce on-site wait times.
Q: What do I need to bring?
A:
- Any form of proof of identity.
- social security numbers for all members of your household (if you have one);
- income information, (such as take-home pay [wages or self-employment], child support, Unemployment Compensation, Social Security, pension or retirement, disability, or any other money), balances in checking and savings accounts, and disaster-related expenses.