From STAFF REPORTS

The Shelby County Department of Human Resources (DHR) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). This program is designed to provide food benefits to people who might not ordinarily qualify for the Food Assistance Program.

To qualify for the benefits, residents of Shelby County must apply in person or have an authorized representative apply for them. Applicants must have disaster damage to their homes, loss of food, expenses related to protecting their homes or lost income as a result of the disaster and meet income limits composed of net household income plus available liquid resources (cash or money in the bank).

Individuals/families must have been a resident of Shelby County on April 27, 2011 to apply for assistance in Shelby County. Current food assistance recipients may not apply for benefits at the D-Snap location.

Shelby County DHR will be accepting applications May 24-25 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Liberty Baptist Church, 11050 Chelsea Road in Chelsea.

Individuals and families applying for the D-SNAP must submit some form of identification, such as a photo I.D. or documents that contain your name and/or address to verify identity and residence in the disaster-designated county. However, if a person does not have identifying documents due to storm damage, they can bring someone to verify their identity.

Individuals/families that qualify will receive a one-time benefit based on household size. After completing the application, qualified individuals and families will be issued an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Benefits can be accessed using the EBT card after they are posted to the account. Benefits will be available within four (4) days after the application is filed.

All states operate the food assistance program and D-SNAP according to regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service.