Emergency Assistance Programs - Disaster Food Stamp Program

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Emergency Assistance Programs - Disaster Food Stamp Program

Revised October 28, 2007

Purpose: This section explains the general eligibility criteria for the Disaster Food Stamp and when the State may use it.

Disaster food stamp program.
WAC 388-437-0001

CLARIFYING INFORMATION

The disaster must be declared by the President or FNS. When the disaster is declared, FNS negotiates with the State to determine:

• What eligibility rules will be used;

• The length of time DFSP applications will be accepted;

• If the allotment will be for a half or full month; and

• How the benefits will be computed.

General Guidelines

Disaster related loss: The assistance unit must have a loss from a federally declared disaster:

Residency: At the time of the disaster, the assistance unit lives within the geographical area designated as part of the disaster area. After the disaster, the assistance unit may be eligible for DFSP although they are temporarily living outside the designated disaster area.

Purchase and prepare: The assistance unit must purchase food and prepare meals together during the disaster certification period. Assistance units residing in temporary shelters that provide 50%of their meals during this period are ineligible for DFSP.

Resources: Non-liquid resources are excluded. Liquid resources such as cash on hand or cash balances in accessible checking or savings accounts are considered as "income".

Current food assistance recipients: Food assistance recipients may also be eligible for DFSP benefits. When an assistance unit receives a replacement issuance before the DFSP is implemented, the replacement amount is deducted from the DFSP allotment.

Other eligibility criteria:

The following eligibility factors are not applicable to the DFSP:

Alien status;

Social Security number;

Student status; and

Work requirements.

A prior disqualification in the regular food assistance programs does not disqualify an applicant for DFSP.

DFSP Procedures

After the disaster is declared and FNS approves use of a DFSP, CSOs will receive instructions, procedures, and forms. These will be sent from the Division of Assistance Programs or the State Office alternate (Region 2).

Emergency Assistance Programs - Disaster Food Stamp Program
Revised October 28, 2007

Purpose: This section explains the general eligibility criteria for the Disaster Food Stamp and when the State may use it.
Disaster food stamp program. WAC 388-437-0001 CLARIFYING INFORMATION The disaster must be declared by the President or FNS. When the disaster is declared, FNS negotiates with the State to determine: • What eligibility rules will be used; • The length of time DFSP applications will be accepted; • If the allotment will be for a half or full month; and • How the benefits will be computed.
General Guidelines Disaster related loss: The assistance unit must have a loss from a federally declared disaster: Residency: At the time of the disaster, the assistance unit lives within the geographical area designated as part of the disaster area. After the disaster, the assistance unit may be eligible for DFSP although they are temporarily living outside the designated disaster area. Purchase and prepare: The assistance unit must purchase food and prepare meals together during the disaster certification period. Assistance units residing in temporary shelters that provide 50%of their meals during this period are ineligible for DFSP. Resources: Non-liquid resources are excluded. Liquid resources such as cash on hand or cash balances in accessible checking or savings accounts are considered as "income". Current food assistance recipients: Food assistance recipients may also be eligible for DFSP benefits. When an assistance unit receives a replacement issuance before the DFSP is implemented, the replacement amount is deducted from the DFSP allotment. Other eligibility criteria: The following eligibility factors are not applicable to the DFSP: Alien status; Social Security number; Student status; and Work requirements. A prior disqualification in the regular food assistance programs does not disqualify an applicant for DFSP. DFSP Procedures After the disaster is declared and FNS approves use of a DFSP, CSOs will receive instructions, procedures, and forms. These will be sent from the Division of Assistance Programs or the State Office alternate (Region 2).

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