Counties will begin processing applications over the next two weeks. Each county will establish temporary sites – in addition to its Social Service Offices - for people to request the D-SNAP subsidy.
Individuals and families currently not receiving SNAP benefits and whose storm-related expenses include damages beyond the loss of food due to power outages may be eligible.
“We recognize the incredible losses so many people endured – especially from flooding,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “The D-SNAP and supplemental benefits are an effective way to assist families in the short-term so they can focus on other storm-recovery matters.”
Individuals and families in disaster-declared areas and already enrolled with SNAP will automatically receive a onetime supplemental benefit based upon a federal determination of areas that lost power for over four consecutive hours. They do not need to call or visit their County Welfare Agency.
The New Jersey Department of Human Services’ Division of Family Development, which administers SNAP through the counties, is coordinating these processes with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Services.
The D-SNAP application process eases requirements around documents necessary to apply and weighs disaster-related costs with available liquid resources when considering eligibility. Benefits are electronically applied to a card similar to a debit/credit card for the purchase of certain food items.
All storm-impacted counties will begin accepting D-SNAP applications between today and early next week.
• Passaic County will be taking applications from September 7 through September 15, with specific towns being assigned to specific days.
• From Thursday, September 8 through Friday, September 16, applications will be taken in Bergen, Essex, Morris and Somerset counties. See attachment for locations, hours, and a description of how residents will be assigned by day.
• The state’s remaining 16 counties will begin soon thereafter.
Residents are encouraged to check their county's website for specific dates and locations to apply. As county schedules become available, DHS will post them on the NJ SNAP page: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/programs/foodstamps/. In addition, applications will be processed at the county welfare agencies listed here: http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dfd/programs/foodstamps/cwa/index.html.
Residents also should be sure to register for FEMA assistance at www.recoveryasssitance.gov and to check www.nj211.org for valuable disaster-related information including, how to: acquire clean-up kits; schedule home inspections, and; exercise renters rights. The Department of Health and Senior Services also has a Call Center for public health concerns related to flooding at 1-866-234-0964. Its hours of operation are: 8AM- 8PM Monday – Friday and weekends 10 AM to 5PM.
