Chattanooga, TN – eleased on Fri, May 06, 2011 - 3:23 pm under
* Human Services
* Tennessee Emergency Management Agency
DHS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS BEGINS MAY 9
NASHVILLE - On Monday, May 9, the Tennessee Department of Human Services, with USDA approval, will begin issuing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) benefits to eligible residents of four tornado-ravaged counties that have been federally declared disaster areas following the late April storms. The benefits are for eligible residents of Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington counties. Applications for SNAP disaster benefits can be submitted Monday through Saturday, May 9-14, and on Monday, May 16.
Residents of these counties who sustained tornado loss or damages, and are not currently receiving SNAP (food stamp) assistance but wish to apply for SNAP disaster benefits, are asked to bring photo identification, address information, Social Security verification, statements of income or resources, and estimated disaster expenses to a Disaster Recovery Center in their county. Staff on-site will make eligibility determinations, and benefits in the form of EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards will be distributed the same day. The benefits will represent up to a one-month allotment of food stamps for the appropriate household size, and can be used for up to 90 days in any authorized SNAP grocery retailer.
For more information, including a list of key questions and answers about the assistance program, please visit the DHS website at www.tn.gov/humanserv.
NOTE: Current SNAP clients should not visit a recovery center. They may receive disaster benefits through their local DHS office. For office information, visit: http://tn.gov/humanserv/st_map.html