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The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that individuals in Florida affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton may qualify for food assistance through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). An estimated 407,733 households in 24 Florida counties are eligible for this aid to help with grocery expenses.

Under this program, individuals who may not typically qualify for SNAP can participate if they meet specific criteria, including disaster income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses.

Additionally, USDA has expanded the coverage area for D-SNAP to include five more counties in Georgia – Dodge, McIntosh, Taliaferro, Thomas, and Warren. This brings the total number of eligible counties and one Tribe to 112 across the states impacted by the hurricanes. Residents in these areas can apply for D-SNAP to receive assistance with food expenses as they recover from the disasters.

To apply for D-SNAP in Florida, the state will operate in three phases for different counties. The application process will vary based on the county, with applications accepted by phone and in-person on specific dates.

For more information on D-SNAP and other available aid, individuals in Florida can contact 2-1-1 or visit Florida’s Division of Emergency Management website. Those in Georgia can visit the Division of Family and Children Services website for information on the SNAP program.

In addition to D-SNAP, USDA has approved waivers and flexibilities to provide support to those affected by the hurricanes. This includes allowing SNAP participants to purchase hot foods with their benefits and issuing waivers for various nutrition programs.

Individuals interested in applying for D-SNAP must live in an identified disaster area, have been impacted by the disaster, and meet specific eligibility criteria. Eligible households will receive one month of benefits to purchase groceries at authorized stores or online to meet their temporary food needs.

USDA is actively working to provide support to communities, farmers, ranchers, and small businesses affected by the hurricanes. The department has expedited assistance to agricultural producers and announced initiatives to aid in recovery efforts.

For more information on USDA’s response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, visit the Disaster Resource Center on their website. USDA Food and Nutrition Service aims to end hunger and improve nutrition security through various nutrition assistance programs.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

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