Significant Change to SNAP Benefits Announced for Good Reason – Now Official

Hurricane season has been especially intense for Florida this year, with Hurricanes Helene and Milton hitting the state in rapid succession. In response to the damage these storms left behind, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has expanded the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include Disaster Relief SNAP (D-SNAP) benefits. This temporary measure is intended to help families in affected areas access essential groceries as they work to rebuild.

D-SNAP Overview

Typically, SNAP provides food assistance to low-income households, allowing families to purchase groceries via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. But during natural disasters, D-SNAP extends this aid to those impacted by the disaster, including families that might not usually qualify for SNAP. Under D-SNAP, approximately 407,733 Florida households across 24 counties will receive aid.

D-SNAP benefits allow families to buy groceries immediately, helping them meet their food needs in a challenging recovery period.

Eligibility

While regular SNAP benefits are generally for households with limited income, D-SNAP is available for families affected by hurricanes who do not already receive SNAP. Families already enrolled in SNAP can apply for additional assistance if they can prove their household was impacted, but they must do so through standard application channels.

To qualify, households need to meet specific income requirements. For example, a family of four must have a monthly income of $3,529 or less to be eligible for D-SNAP.

Key D-SNAP Application

The USDA has arranged a timeline for D-SNAP applications across different counties in Florida to facilitate aid distribution:

County Group	Phone Applications	Onsite Applications
Columbia, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Wakulla	Oct 28–Oct 31	Nov 1–Dec 9
Charlotte, Hernando, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Sarasota	Nov 4, Nov 6–Nov 8	Nov 9–Dec 3
Citrus, Hardee, Highlands, Hillsborough, Lee, Volusia	Nov 12–Nov 15	Nov 16–Dec 15

Applicants can apply over the phone during the specified dates, with in-person applications following in each county for a three-day window, making it easier for families to access help.

D-SNAP Aid

Florida isn’t the only state to receive D-SNAP aid. Other states impacted by the hurricane season include:

State	Eligible Households
Georgia	982,930
North Carolina	152,572
Tennessee	54,692

This regional expansion highlights the widespread impact of recent storms and the USDA’s commitment to helping affected families meet essential needs during their recovery process.

Spending Rules

D-SNAP benefits work similarly to regular SNAP, but with restrictions on what can be purchased. Benefits can only be used for groceries at approved retailers and cannot cover hot meals, alcohol, tobacco, or household goods. Exceptions can sometimes be made in extreme cases, such as allowing hot meals, but no such modification has been announced for this relief period.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack emphasized the USDA’s commitment to supporting families, farmers, and communities affected by the hurricanes. “USDA is committed to making sure that families, farmers and communities impacted by recent hurricanes get the support they need, including help with grocery expenses as people grapple with significant disruption to their lives,” he said.

As Florida residents and other affected states begin their recovery, D-SNAP benefits will play a vital role in supporting household food security. This temporary aid aims to provide relief in times of immediate need, ensuring families have reliable access to essential groceries as they work to restore normalcy in their lives.

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