West Virginians Impacted by Flooding May Qualify for Disaster SNAP Benefits

The West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) today announced that residents who lived or worked in Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers and Webster counties during the June 23, 2016, flooding may be eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) benefits. Approved by DHHR and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), D-SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food, but cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco or non-food items.
“Residents who are not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP due to disaster-related changes, including inability to access money in checking or savings accounts, unreimbursed disaster-related expenses or loss/reduction in income as a result of the disaster,” said Nancy Exline, Commissioner of DHHR’s Bureau for Children and Families.
Eligibility will be based on the household’s net income, which is determined by adding available income, cash on hand and accessible bank accounts, then subtracting unreimbursed disaster-related expenses. Assets, such as homes and automobiles, are not included in the net income eligibility determination.
Residents of the 12 identified counties may apply for D-SNAP benefits at the following locations from July 25, 2016, through July 31, 2016.
In Clay County, apply at the Clay DHHR Office, 94 Main Street, Clay  Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday  from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring the following items:
•    photo proof of identity such as a driver’s license or other picture ID;
•    documentation of residence in the affected county at the time of disaster;
•    verification of all income received during June 23, 2016 – July 22, 2016;
•    verification of assets such as checking and savings accounts; and
•    verification of all disaster-related expenses.
Most benefits will be available within one day of the date of application. Benefits must be used within 120 days.
Some residents who currently receive SNAP may be eligible for supplemental benefits.  A supplement will automatically be added to the EBT card of current SNAP recipients who received June benefits in the following counties: Clay, Greenbrier, Kanawha, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane and Webster.  Residents of Fayette, Jackson, Lincoln, and Summers counties who received SNAP benefits in June and were impacted by the flood may request supplemental benefits through signing a supplemental benefits affidavit.  Individuals who received SNAP benefits in June who worked in an eligible county may also request a supplement through signing an affidavit.  Affidavits are available at local DHHR offices, by calling 1-877-716-1212 or at http://www.dhhr.wv.gov/bcf.  Current recipients who received the maximum benefit for their households are not eligible for supplemental benefits.
All D-SNAP applications will be checked for duplication.  If you violate the D-SNAP rules, you may be disqualified from the program, fined up to $250,000 and/or put in jail for up to 20 years. Persons who purposely provide false information on a D-SNAP application may be denied benefits, and legal action may be taken.
SNAP is 100 percent federally funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families.  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.