SOMERSET COUNTY, MD (December 29, 2012) – Residents who lived in Somerset County on October 28, 2012 may be eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits, known in Maryland as the Food Supplement Program (FSP). The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Maryland Department of Human Resources (DHR) have approved D-SNAP benefits for Somerset County residents affected by Hurricane Sandy.
Somerset County residents who would not be eligible under the regular SNAP rules may qualify temporarily if their business, home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and they have un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses, or if they have a loss or reduction of income as a result of the storm. Also, residents who currently receive SNAP may be eligible for additional benefits.
Hurricane victims may apply for disaster SNAP benefits at the following locations beginning Monday, January 7 through Sunday, January 13. The centers will accept D-SNAP applications from 8:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Somerset County Department of Social Services
30397 Mt. Vernon Road
Princess Anne, MD 21853
Phone: (410) 677-4200
Disaster Recovery Center
Somerset County Ambulance & Rescue Squad Building
#2 Mill Lane
Crisfield, MD 21817
Phone: (410) 968-1657
Both locations will determine eligibility for victims based on available income, minus unreimbursed disaster-related expenses. All resources except cash on hand and bank accounts will be excluded from the eligibility determination. A qualifying two-person family with net monthly income of less than $1,879 would receive $367, and a one-person household with net monthly income of less than $1,549 would receive $200. Most benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.
Individuals receiving regular SNAP benefits that were affected by the disaster may also apply for this special program. They may qualify for additional SNAP benefits to bring their benefit level up to the maximum benefit amount for the month of the disaster. October FSP participants who received replacement benefits automatically will receive a supplement if their October benefit was less than the maximum for their household size. Check the DHR website at this link http://www.dhr.state.md.us/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/iag.pdf to see if your October benefit was at the maximum level for your household size.
Hurricane victims in Somerset County currently receiving SNAP benefits who did not qualify for the automatic replacement benefits may file an affidavit for supplemental SNAP benefits at either of the locations noted above.
Applicants for D-SNAP must bring photo proof of identity and should bring a driver’s license or other picture ID. Applicants also must bring a document that verifies their home address in the disaster area prior to the disaster.
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food for human consumption, but cannot be used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco or non-food items. Benefits must be used within 90 days. Persons who purposely provide wrong information on a SNAP application may be denied benefits and legal action may be taken.
Supporting Documents
