Need food help after Hurricanes Helene, Milton? We break down steps to apply for D-SNAP

More than 400,000 households across Florida impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton may be eligible for federal help with grocery expenses.

Known as D-SNAP, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced its Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is available for homeowners in 24 Florida counties.

The program is available after disasters and to people who may not be eligible for SNAP in normal circumstances if they meet specific criteria, including disaster income limits and qualifying disaster-related expenses, the agency said.

What is D-SNAP?

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as D-SNAP, gives food assistance to low-income households with food loss or damage caused by a natural disaster according to DisasterAssistance.gov.

Before operating D-SNAP in a disaster area, a state must receive an Individual Assistance declaration from the president. The state must then request and receive approval from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service to operate a D-SNAP.

“D-SNAP provides food assistance for individuals and families impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,” the Florida Department of Children and Families announced in a news release.

DCF, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, implements D-SNAP in Florida.

Residents approved for D-SNAP benefits will get an Electronic Benefits Transfer card, which can be used like a debit card to buy allowable food at local authorized retail stores, according to DisasterAssistance.gov.

How do you apply for D-SNAP in Florida?

People applying for D-SNAP must first pre-register. Registration is done in phases, which is determined by county. You cannot pre-register before the dates set for your county.

If you are unable to pre-register online, D-SNAP locations will be available. Those locations and dates have not yet been announced, DCF said, adding people should check back for upcoming D-SNAP onsite events and locations.

Pre-registration first step in applying for D-SNAP to help with food

Here’s what you should know about pre-registering for D-SNAP help, according to DCF:

• Verification is required for certain elements of the application.
• Eligibility can be determined more quickly and easily if a state driver’s license or identification number and a Social Security number is provided.
• Pre-registration will only be open for specific counties according to the schedule.
• Residents who are unable to pre-register online can visit one of the D-SNAP event locations in person when they are open.
• When selecting the disaster on the pre-registration form, select the most recent storm that impacted your household.

After pre-registering, next step is a phone call or visit to D-SNAP location

After completing the pre-registration process, the next step is an interview either by calling the D-SNAP Call Center or attending an on-site event at a later date. The locations and dates of the on-site events have not yet been announced. Here’s what you should know now:

• Applicants may only call during designated dates and operating hours for their county.
• Phone interview times are designated based on the first letter of your last name.
• D-SNAP Call Center: 888-348-0408, Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time.
• Applicants must report the household’s net income received from Sept. 23, 2024, through Oct. 22, 2024.
• Applicants must report all liquid household assets that were available on Sept. 23, 2024, including cash on hand and money in checking and savings accounts.

Florida operating D-SNAP in three phases. Here’s when you can pre-register and the dates to call

“To ensure the fastest service to households who are eligible to receive government assistance,” DCF said it would begin Phase One by offering a phone option.

“In the coming weeks, the department will host in-person D-SNAP events for residents who cannot participate by phone. The locations for in-person D-SNAP events will be announced soon.”

Phase One:

• Counties
  • Columbia
  • Dixie
  • Franklin
  • Gilchrist
  • Hamilton
  • Jefferson
  • Lafayette
  • Levy
  • Madison
  • Suwannee
  • Taylor
  • Wakulla
• Online pre-registration dates: Sunday, Oct. 27, starting at 12:01 a.m. through Thursday, Oct. 31, 11:59 p.m.
• Telephone dates: Monday, Oct. 28 through Thursday, Oct. 31. Call 888-348-0408 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. based on this schedule:
  • Last name begins with A-F: Call on Monday, Oct. 28
  • Last name begins with G-N: Call on Tuesday, Oct. 29
  • Last name begins with O-Z: Call on Wednesday, Oct. 30
  • Any last name: Call on Thursday, Oct. 31

Phase Two:

• Counties: 
  • Charlotte
  • Hernando
  • Manatee
  • Pasco
  • Pinellas
  • Polk
  • Sarasota 
• Pre-Registration Dates: Sunday, Nov. 3 through Friday, Nov. 8
• Telephone dates:Monday, Nov. 4, and Wednesday, Nov. 6 through Friday, Nov. 8

Phase Three:

• Counties: 
  • Citrus
  • DeSoto
  • Flagler
  • Hardee
  • Highlands
  • Hillsborough
  • Lake
  • Lee
  • Volusia
• Pre-Registration Dates: Monday, Nov. 11 through Friday, Nov. 15
• Telephone Dates:Tuesday, Nov. 12 through Friday, Nov. 15

Are you eligible for disaster food assistance?

To be eligible for D-SNAP, a household must live in an identified disaster area, have been affected by the disaster, and meet certain D-SNAP eligibility criteria, according to DisasterAssistance.gov.

To qualify for D-SNAP benefits:

• Applicants must report all liquid household assets that were available on Sept. 23, 2024, including cash on hand and money in checking and savings accounts.
• Applicants must not be receiving regular SNAP benefits
• Applicants must have been living in a disaster-declared county at the time of Hurricanes Helene or Milton
• Applicants must have suffered a disaster-related loss such as:
  • Damage to their home(s) or self-employment property
  • Loss of food
  • Reduction or loss of income
  • Other disaster-related expenses
• Applicants must meet financial eligibility requirements
• Applicants must report the household’s net income received from Sept. 23, 2024 through Oct. 22, 2024

What benefits are available through D-SNAP?

DCF announced how the D-SNAP program helps those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton:

• “Eligible recipients who participate in the telephonic D-SNAP event will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card by mail that can be used to purchase food at authorized USDA food retailers.
• The EBT card cannot be used for alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, or non-food items.