06-05-2025
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.'
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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.
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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.
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