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Program Description

 

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) gives food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster.

Before operating D-SNAP in a disaster area, a state must receive an Individual Assistance declaration from the president. The state must then request and receive approval from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a D-SNAP.

If approved for D-SNAP benefits, you will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. You can use the card just like a debit card to buy allowable food at local FNS-authorized retail stores.

General Program Requirements

Because of the unique needs of disaster survivors, D-SNAP uses different standards than normal SNAP. Even if you would not normally qualify for SNAP, you may qualify for D-SNAP if you had one of the disaster-related expenses below:

  • Home or business repairs.
  • Temporary shelter expenses.
  • Evacuation or relocation expenses.
  • Disaster-related personal injury, including funeral expenses
  • Lost or no access to income due to the disaster; includes reduced, terminated, or delayed receipt of income, for a large part of the benefit period.
  • In some cases, food loss after a disaster like flooding or power outages.

If you’re a current SNAP client, you can request a supplement when your state operates a D-SNAP if you meet the conditions below:

  • You currently get benefits that are less than the monthly maximum, and
  • You have losses from the disaster.

The supplement brings your benefits up to the maximum for your household size. This way benefits are equal between D-SNAP and SNAP households after a disaster. 

Current SNAP clients may also request replacement benefits for food lost in the disaster and bought with SNAP benefits. Just contact your local office for more information.

Application Process

If you are a disaster survivor, you may apply for D-SNAP benefits. Before the program begins, state agencies release information through local media and press. This can help you learn how to apply, the days of operation, and the eligibility criteria.

You can also view the SNAP state directory to call for other benefit details.

Last Updated: 04/26/2024