by Michelle Blackston
Natural disasters can destroy communities. State legislators can play a role in helping displaced families start anew by passing along information on where to find immediate assistance. For example, as recovery and clean-up efforts are under way on the coast of Texas ravaged by Hurricane Ike, Texans can rest assured they won't go hungry. Realizing how difficult this time is for families who may have lost everything, including food, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services (USDA/FNA), extended and increased food stamp benefits for anyone currently living in or evacuated from the disaster areas in Texas. This assistance includes money to replace food lost in the storm or spoiled from a lack of refrigeration. Additionally, food and supplies were delivered to food banks throughout the state. This aid comes from the Disaster Food Stamp Program, authorized by the USDA/FNS, and replaces benefits for regular food stamp recipients who lose food in the disaster and extends benefits to many households that would not ordinarily be eligible, but suddenly need food assistance.
Just two weeks ago, 31 parishes in Louisiana received this assistance. An estimated 380,000 households are eligible for disaster food benefits in Louisiana. All they have to do is sign up.
For more information on the program, check out the USDA/FNA Web site. This is a great resource for state lawmakers to pass along to the storm victims who live in their communities.
“Participants in the regular (food stamp) program do not need to apply; their benefits will automatically be lifted to the maximum amount allowable for September and their August benefits have been increased by 20% in order to replace lost food," according to a news release from the USDA/FNA.
To determine who qualifies, check out the current Disaster Food Stamp Program guidelines.
Here is more information from the Food Research and Action Center on ways to help low-income individuals and families during disasters.
So whether it’s an earthquake, tornado or hurricane, state legislators don’t have to stand by idly. They can actively help victims find the assistance that is available in order to expedite the recovery process.
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