Iowans affected by flooding may be eligible for Disaster-related SNAP benefits

DES MOINES, Iowa (KTIV) - The State of Iowa says a presidential Disaster Declaration for individual assistance was received for five counties impacted by recent flooding.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says the new declaration allows the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for Iowans in the following counties:

• Clay County
• Emmet County
• Lyon County
• Plymouth County
• Sioux County

Agriculture Secretary and former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack announced that residents in the counties identified so far under the disaster declaration will qualify if they meet certain criteria. The programs use different qualifying rules than a regular SNAP program. Eligible residents who may not qualify for SNAP, based on income may qualify for the D-SNAP program.

Eligible residents include those who:

• Lived in one of the five disaster counties listed above.
• Had storm, related loss which includes:
  • Loss or no access to income due to the disaster, including reduced, terminated or delayed receipt of income.
  • Home or self-employment business repairs that include supplies paid for out of pocket and not reimbursed during the 30 days.
  • Temporary shelter expenses.
• Qualify based on income and resources between June 16 and July 15.
• Worked in one of the five disaster counties and experienced a loss of income due to the disaster.
• Qualify based on income and resources between June 16 and July 15.

Expenses and Income

The State of Iowa said, “a household’s net income for their household size, cannot be more than the amounts listed below for the for the following 30-day period of time: June 16, 2024 -July 15, 2024.

“Disaster-related expenses paid out of pocket and not reimbursed during that 30-day period of time can be subtracted from the household’s net income to be eligible for D-SNAP benefits,” according to the State of Iowa.

Program Benefits

The State of Iowa says residents who are eligible to receive D-Snap benefits will receive food dollars on an electronic benefit transfer card (EBT) which is equivalent to the maximum allotment of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The state says D-Snap benefits can be used for food purchases at D-SNAP authorized retailers such as farmer’s markets and specific online retailers.

For more information on where SNAP Benefits can be used, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Services website.

SNAP Recipients

“SNAP residents who received June 2024 SNAP benefits, affected by the disaster, and lived or worked in the counties listed above can apply for D-SNAP by completing a SNAP Recipient Request for Disaster SNAP. These request applications are available in the five counties or by calling 877-828-5648,” said State of Iowa officials.

How to Apply

Applications can be made either in person or by phone by calling 877-828-5648. Residents need to take proof of identity and provide proof of residence in the storm-affected area, income and disaster-related expenses.

Dates/Times:

• Monday, 7/8 - 1 pm – 5:30 pm
• Tuesday, 7/9 - 9 am – 4:30 pm
• Wednesday, 7/10 - 9 am – 4:30 pm
• Thursday, 7/11 - 9 am – 5:30 pm
• Friday, 7/12 - 9 am – 4:30 pm
• Saturday, 7/13 - 8 am - 11 am

Locations:

• Clay County Crosswinds Church 1900 Grand Ave #A, Spencer
• Emmet County Emmet County Fairgrounds 1686 3rd Ave S, Estherville
• Lyon County Forster Community Center 404 First Ave, Rock Rapids
• Plymouth County Le Mars Bible Church 1550 7th Ave SE, Le Mars
• Sioux County Main Street Plaza 1129 Main St., Rock Valley

Hot Food Purchases

Residents who are affected by the flooding may use both SNAP and D-SNAP benefits to purchase hot meals from participating retailers, beginning July 3 through August 1 in the counties listed below:

• Buena Vista
• Cherokee
• Dickinson
• Emmet
• Kossuth
• Lyon
• O’Brien
• Osceola
• Palo Alto
• Plymouth
• Pocahontas
• Sioux
• Woodbury

More information is available on the Health and Human Services Website.