Disaster Food Stamps

The Disaster Food Stamp Program provides replacement benefits for regular food stamp recipients who lose food in the disaster and extends benefits as well to many households which would not ordinarily be eligible but suddenly need food assistance. The benefits are delivered via Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards, which can expedite and mainstream the relief process for victims.

Resources:

• Advocate's Guide to the Disaster Food Stamp Program (pdf)
• Ten Key Ways Food Stamp Advocates Can Help Low-Income People in a Disaster (pdf)
• FNS/USDA Disaster Assistance Information

Feeding Children in the Event of Pandemic-Related School Closings

Low-income children can continue to receive meals in the event of school closures related to the H1N1 influenza virus. During such public health emergency closures, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) will issue waivers to school food authorities and eligible community organizations to serve meals through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) or the Seamless Summer Option.

The requirement to serve meals in a congregate setting will be waived, but other Summer Nutrition Programs rules will apply. Any school or community-based organization that wants to provide reimbursable meals to children in areas affected by school closures due to H1N1 must have an agreement with the state agency to operate the Summer Nutrition Programs, including a waiver request that explains which meals will be provided (breakfast, lunch and/or snack) and how the meals will be distributed.

Resources:

• FNS policy Memos:
  • Updated Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Pandemic Influenza Planning Information (pdf)
  • Responding to School Closings for H1N1 Outbreaks (pdf)
  • Questions and Answers (pdf)
  • Questions and Answers Edition #2 (pdf)

• Joint USDA, Department of Education Letter (pdf)

• FNS/USDA Disaster Assistance - Human Pandemic Information
  includes information for Child Nutrition Programs, SNAP/Food Stamps, WIC, Commodity Assistance Programs.