Latest news with #D-SNAP
Newsweek
3 days ago
- General
- Newsweek
SNAP Benefits Expanded in Two States: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Federal authorities have expanded emergency food assistance for residents affected by recent severe weather in Kentucky, while, in New Mexico, older SNAP recipients with disabilities will get one-off extra benefits this month. Why It Matters Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, are provided to low- and no-income families across the U.S. to help them with the cost of groceries. Across both states, just over 1 million people receive food assistance. What To Know Kentucky In Kentucky, those who already receive food stamps will benefit from a temporary relaxation of rules. It means they will be able to buy hot meals with their payments in certain counties impacted by recent severe weather. Nearly 20 people died in the Bluegrass state and hundreds of properties and buildings were damaged in storms that swept across the Midwest in May. The USDA has confirmed the relaxation of SNAP restrictions is in place "in order to increase access to food after power outages as a result of severe storms." Under regular rules in Kentucky and throughout most U.S. states, SNAP benefits can be used to purchase ingredients, prepared cold snacks and nonalcoholic beverages. But through to July 2, residents of 26 counties who get SNAP payments will be able to buy preprepared warm meals from participating retailers. File photo: A SNAP sign is seen in a storefront window. File photo: A SNAP sign is seen in a storefront window. GETTY The following counties have been approved for D-SNAP: Adair Caldwell Calloway Casey Christian Clay Clinton Crittenden Cumberland Henderson Hopkins Jackson Knox Laurel Lincoln Lyon Marshall McCreary Pulaski Rockcastle Russell Trigg Union Wayne Webster Whitley New Mexico In New Mexico, SNAP recipients who are aged over 60 and have a disability will get a one-off extra payment of $68 uploaded to their electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card. The extra food assistance has automatically been added to 29,444 eligible individuals' accounts as of June 3. What People Are Saying Kyra Ochoa, deputy cabinet secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority, said in a statement: "Through this collaboration, we provided critical additional food support for important members of our communities. Using state general funds to create extra benefits for seniors and people with disabilities is a great example of how strong interdepartmental partnerships can better serve New Mexicans in need." Emily Kaltenbach, cabinet secretary at the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) in New Mexico, said: "We are proud to once again partner with HCA to bring additional relief to New Mexico's older adults and adults with disabilities. This boost reflects our shared commitment to ensuring New Mexicans have access to the nutritious food they need." What Happens Next The D-SNAP expansion will be in place in Kentucky until July 2. In New Mexico, anyone with questions about the supplemental benefit can contact the Health Care Authority at 1-800-283-4465.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Home dedications come more than 3 years after 2021 tornado
DAWSON SPRINGS, Ky. (WEHT) – It's been nearly three and a half years since a deadly tornado tore through Western Kentucky, devastating many locations, including Dawson Springs. That recovery process continues as four families received brand new keys to their brand new homes. Those families, all losing their homes in the 2021 tornado, took another step forward through a special joint home dedication ceremony. Dawson Springs Mayor Jenny Sewell and Kentucky's Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman were on hand to celebrate with the families. Much of the construction was aided by the Fuller Center, which helps families with safe, affordable housing. A volunteer group from Minnesota has also helped the rebuilding process, and was on-hand at the dedication ceremony to give hand-crafted prayer quilts to the families. USDA announces approval of D-SNAP for western KY counties The new homes have been largely funded through the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund, which raised $52 million after the storm. Lieutenant Governor Coleman says seeing new homes go up reminds her of how long the road to recovery has been. 'To be here today, to be able to celebrate people getting into new homes, it's a completely different feeling,' explains Coleman. 'It's hope and it's gratitude, and it's a lot of folks who came together to do a lot of work over a long period of time that has allowed these families to have a second chance.' Coleman says the fact they are still able to use the relief fund shows the generosity of those in Western Kentucky and around the country. More from Cody Bailey Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
USDA announces approval of D-SNAP for western KY counties
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that people recovering from recent severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding may be eligible for food assistance through USDA's Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). Some counties in the Tri-State were included as a result of this approval. The USDA says Kentucky will operate its virtual and in-person D-SNAP application May 7 through May 14. Eligible counties include Hopkins County. Approximately 11,500 households in 13 counties in Kentucky are estimated to be eligible for this relief to help with grocery expenses. Officials explain through this program, which USDA makes available through states in the aftermath of disasters, people who may not be eligible for SNAP in normal circumstances can participate if they meet specific criteria, including disaster income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses. 'USDA is dedicated to helping individuals and families in Kentucky as they grapple with the aftermath of recent severe storms and tornadoes,' said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. 'We are expediting disaster assistance programs and working closely with state and local partners to provide support to impacted individuals as quickly as possible.' At least 15,000 USDA employees accept voluntary resignation offer How to apply for D-SNAP The USDA says to be eligible for D-SNAP, a household must either live or work in an identified disaster area, have been affected by the disaster and meet certain D-SNAP eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive one month of benefits – equal to the maximum monthly amount for a SNAP household of their size – that they can use to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or from select retailers online to meet their temporary food needs as they settle back home following the disaster. People can get more information about Kentucky SNAP by visiting Kynect Benefits. For more information about this and other available aid, callers from Kentucky can dial 2-1-1. Secretary Rollins reveals more '100 days' accomplishments Other things the USDA has done The USDA says it has done the following so far in reference to the western Kentucky storms: Approving a waiver to allow SNAP participants to buy hot foods and hot food products prepared for immediate consumption with their benefits at authorized SNAP retailers in 52 counties through May 31. The counties in the Eyewitness News coverage area are: Hopkins County McLean County Muhlenberg County Ohio County Webster County Approving waivers for the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits lost due to power outages in the affected areas. Officials say although current SNAP households are not eligible for D-SNAP, USDA has also approved Kentucky to automatically issue supplemental SNAP benefits to current SNAP households in the 13 approved counties, which includes Hopkins County, to bring their allotment up to the maximum amount for their household size if they don't already receive that amount. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
FEMA assistance climbs to $8.9 million
princeton – More than $8.9 million in federal assistance has now been approved for area flood victims, FEMA said Monday. FEMA has now approved $8,931,727 in Individual Assistance for a six county region, which includes Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties, according to Nate Custer, a media relations specialist with FEMA. That amount includes $5,560,002 for Housing Assistance and $3,371,725 for Other Needs Assistance. The federal funds are in response to the Feb. 15 flood, which caused widespread damage across the region. This FEMA aid included 2,735 valid registrations. Broken down by county, McDowell County had the most registrations with 1,168 followed by Mingo County with 615. Mercer County had 410 registrations followed by 394 in Wyoming County, 85 in Wayne County and 80 in Logan County. Mitigation and Disaster Survivor Assistance staff in McDowell County are at Jimmy's Hardware and Supply in Roderfield to help residents with their Individual Assistance applications, provide information about rebuilding their homes and share resources on safe clean-up procedures, agency officials said. Flood victims needing help with food now have another route to aid which started Monday. The West Virginia Department of Human Services announced that West Virginia residents who lived or worked in Mercer, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties and were impacted by the Feb. 15 flood may be eligible for USDA's Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance, D-SNAP, benefits beginning Monday through March 21. FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers are open in Mercer, McDowell and Wyoming counties. • The Mercer County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Lifeline Princeton Church of God on 250 Oakvale Road in Princeton. Mercer County's center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is closed Sunday. This center will be closed March 22 and April 19 for the church's previously scheduled events. • The McDowell County Disaster Recovery Center is located at Bradshaw Town Hall, 10002 Marshall Highway in Bradshaw. It is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sunday. • The Wyoming County Disaster Recovery Center is located at the Wyoming County Courthouse on 24 Main Avenue in Pineville. It is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and closed Sundays. Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Four West Virginia counties impacted by flooding may be eligible for SNAP assistance
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) announced assistance for those residing in areas impacted by recent flooding. According to a press release, residents that lived or worked in Mercer, McDowell, Wyoming, and Mingo counties and were affected by flooding from February 15, 2025 to March 16, 2025, may qualify for Disaster Supplement Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) benefits. Benefits may be used to buy food, but cannot be used to buy non-food items, alcohol, or tobacco products. How to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance We are honored to be able to help support our fellow West Virginians in this time of crisis. Our staff will be available for extended hours to help facilitate applications for this program. Residents who are not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP due to the differences in this disaster-related program. Things that might make you eligible for D-SNAP include inability to access money in checking or savings accounts, unreimbursed disaster-related expenses or loss/reduction in income as a result of the disaster. Janie Cole | Commissioner, Bureau for Family Assistance, Department of Human Services Eligibility is based on the household's net income, determined by adding available income, cash on hand, and accessible bank accounts, then subtracting unreimbursed disaster-related expenses such as damage of property and food loss. McDowell County heads back to in-person classes Those residing in eligible counties can visit the following locations to apply for benefits: McDowell County DoHS Office located at 840 Virginia Avenue in Welch. Mercer County DoHS Office located at 350 Davis Street in Princeton. Wyoming County DoHS Office located at Route 10, Main Street in Oceana. Mingo County DoHS Office located at 203 East Third Avenue in Williamson. The locations are open to accept D-SNAP locations from March 17, 2025 to March 21, 2025, from 8:30 am to 7 p.m. The release stated that residents are encouraged to bring the following items when applying: Driver's license or photo ID Proof of residence during the time of the disaster Income verification from February 5, 2025 to present Verification of assets including checking and savings accounts Verification of disaster-related expenses Disaster Unemployment Assistance benefits available for communities affected by storms and flooding in February 2025 The majority of benefits will be made available within one day of application completion. Benefits received must be used within 90 days, the release noted. Households in the approved areas receiving SNAP benefits may qualify for a one-time disaster supplement. The extra benefits will bring their monthly benefit amount up to the maximum benefit amount allowed for the size of their household. In order to be eligible, households need to request replacement benefits since the disaster or complete a form that describes their disaster-related expenses. Those already receiving the maximum amount of benefits for their household will not qualify for more funds. SNAP benefits are federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and assist in helping low-income households and individuals access proper nutrition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
