About FD Food Disaster Assistance
Ensuring that people have access to food is perhaps one of the most
immediate concerns following a disaster, such as a storm, earthquake, civil
disturbance, or a flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is responsible for
effectively managing the federal response and recovery efforts following any
national incident, coordinating relief efforts, and making assistance
available to States, communities, businesses and individuals.
Agencies of USDA are part of the federal disaster response and help in many
ways, such as providing food in areas where people may find themselves
suddenly, and often critically, in need. Through its Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS), USDA assists in three way
- Provides foods for shelters and other mass feeding sites.
- Provides disaster
SNAP benefits.
- Provides foods for
distribution directly to households in need in certain limited
circumstances.
Foods for shelters and mass feeding sites
Every State and U.S. territory has readily available stocks of foods that
are used for USDA-sponsored food programs. The
Child
Nutrition Commodity Programs (which include the National School Lunch
Program), The Emergency Food
Assistance Program (TEFAP), and the
Food Distribution Program on
Indian Reservations (FDPIR) are some of the USDA programs for which
States maintain stocks of commodity foods.
If the President approves a State’s request and issues a disaster
declaration, then the State has the authority to release USDA food stocks to
disaster relief agencies to feed people at shelters and mass feeding sites.
These sites may be approved by the State, and the State can determine how
long to provide the assistance. States may use foods in inventory from all
FNS programs for mass feeding in a disaster, and FNS will, at the request of
the State, replace the USDA foods used. School foods should be used first,
since those food items are available in sizes appropriate for feeding large
groups.
Disaster SNAP benefits
Another source of nutrition assistance for households in disaster areas is
the disaster SNAP. Disaster benefits are a
cost-effective and efficient way of providing nutrition assistance to
individuals affected by disasters. In order for a disaster SNAP to be established, States must request and receive approval from
FNS. For more information about the disaster SNAP, please
click here.
Foods for distribution directly to households in need
In some areas, disaster SNAP benefits may not be feasible because
grocery stores are not open, or because utility interruptions prevent
individuals from using their electronic benefits. In these areas, household
distribution of foods may be a short-term alternative to disaster SNAP
benefits. In such instances, the State must request and receive approval
from FNS for the distribution of foods directly to households for
preparation and consumption at home. It is important to note that a
household cannot receive both disaster SNAP benefits and disaster
foods at the same time. States must take reasonable steps to prevent
households from participating in both programs, and must collect and
maintain household information as part of the distribution. States may use
USDA foods in inventory for disaster household distribution, and FNS will,
at the request of the State, replace the USDA foods used.
Other assistance
Finally, the regular FNS food distribution programs, including TEFAP, FDPIR,
and the
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), will, to the extent that
conditions permit, continue to provide assistance to those who currently
participate in these programs while providing the ability to serve eligible
disaster victims who are forced to relocate or evacuate to other areas.
If you would like to contact your State about the types of disaster
assistance available in your area during an emergency situation, please
click here.
For answers to general questions about disaster assistance available to
States and recipients, please click here.
If you have questions about disaster assistance policy and procedures in
FNS Food Distribution Programs, please
click here.
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