Food assistance available for Arkansans affected by spring storms

By Antoinette Grajeda, Arkansas Advocate

Arkansans who suffered losses during strong storms and tornadoes Mar. 14-14 and Apr. 2-22 can begin applying for SNAP Disaster Assistance (D-SNAP) Monday, according to the Department of Human Services.

D-SNAP extends benefits to households that wouldn’t usually qualify but now need food assistance because of a disaster, according to an agency news release. D-SNAP benefits are provided on an electronic debit card and can be used to purchase food items at authorized retailers. Recipients do not have to be enrolled in SNAP to receive D-SNAP assistance.

Anyone that resided in one of the following zip codes who suffered disaster losses may be eligible for assistance:

March 14-15

Greene (72450)

Independence (72501, 72521)

Jackson (72112, 72075, 72473)

Lawrence (72415, 72458, 72466, 72410)

Randolph (72455, 72462, 72478, 72413, 72460)

Sharp (72521, 72569, 72466, 72513, 72542, 72482, 72459)

Stone (72663, 72680, 72533)

April 2-22

Clark (71923, 71743)

Craighead (72447)

Crittenden (72331, 72348, 72364)

Hot Spring (72104, 71923)

Pulaski (72209, 72076, 72113, 72118, 72205)

Saline (72015, 72018, 72019, 72022, 72209)

Sharp (72542)

White (72010, 72012, 72143, 72145, 72149)

Residents from these counties who experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of the storms may be eligible for assistance:

• Damage to or destruction of their home or self-employment business
• Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income, or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster-related problems
• Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period
• Residents and workers can apply for D-SNAP from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 4-10. Assistance is available by contacting your local county office.

DHS set this new application period in consultation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture “to ensure the system was operative and that Arkansans impacted by these storms have time to submit applications,” according to the release. Arkansans who previously contacted DHS about applying for D-SNAP benefits will receive instructions on filling out a formal application during the Aug. 4-10 submission period.

More information is available on the Department of Human Services’ website.

The Arkansas Advocate is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization dedicated to tough, fair daily reporting and investigative journalism that holds public officials accountable and focuses on the relationship between the lives of Arkansans and public policy.