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FD Disaster Assistance
Questions and Answers
Answers
1. Will the Food and Nutrition Service
(FNS) automatically replace foods used for disaster assistance?
FNS will replace all USDA foods removed from inventory at the State or local
level that are used for approved disaster mass feeding programs or
FNS-approved disaster food distribution programs within Presidentially-declared
disaster areas. The State must submit a request for replacement within 30
days of the end of the disaster, although interim requests for replacement
may be made. FNS does not have the authority, or the resources, to replace
non-USDA foods used for these purposes. Also, FNS does not have the
authority or resources to reimburse organizations for other costs, including
labor costs. All requests for such reimbursement should be directed to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which has the primary
responsibility for providing disaster assistance.
To the extent possible, FNS may, as appropriate, replace USDA foods removed
from inventory in those areas that are not included in a Presidential
disaster declaration. The State should work with FEMA to determine whether
it is appropriate to seek a Presidential declaration that designates these
areas as disaster areas, which would enable FNS to replace the USDA foods
used to provide disaster assistance to evacuees.
2. Will FNS reimburse States for the cost of
transporting foods within the State in order to permit the relocation of
foods to feed disaster evacuees through the Food Distribution programs?
As a general rule, FNS will not reimburse States for transportation costs
incurred for intrastate transportation of foods. States should contact FEMA
to discuss possible reimbursement.
3. Will FNS replace foods in inventory at the State or
local level that were lost or made unfit for consumption by the disaster?
Currently, FNS does not have the authority to replace foods that are lost,
destroyed, contaminated, or otherwise rendered unusable in a disaster due to
flooding, fire, wind, power outage, or other cause. Warehousing contracts
may contain clauses that apply to such circumstances. States may also wish
to contact FEMA for possible assistance, and contact any private insurance
companies to file a claim for the lost foods.
4. Will FNS waive the eligibility requirements for The
Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), the Commodity Supplemental Food
Program (CSFP), or the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations
(FDPIR)?
TEFAP
Given the flexibility afforded to States by TEFAP legislation and
regulations, FNS will not waive program eligibility requirements. Under
TEFAP legislation and regulations, in order to receive foods for household
distribution, the applicant must reside in the area served by the local
organization. However, there is no durational limit on the residency
requirement, so disaster evacuees may apply to participate in TEFAP when
they relocate to another area. States have a great deal of discretion in
determining the eligibility criteria for the program, including the income
eligibility guidelines which are set by the State.
CSFP
FNS does not have the authority to waive CSFP eligibility requirements.
Under CSFP legislation and regulations, the applicant must meet the
categorical and income requirements specified for the program in order to
receive program foods.
FDPIR
As the income and resource standards ensure that those individuals most in
need, including eligible disaster evacuees, receive FDPIR nutrition
assistance, FNS will not waive these eligibility requirements. Under FDPIR
regulations, the applicant must reside in an approved service area in which
FDPIR operates, and must meet income and resource eligibility standards to
qualify for the program. However, there is no durational limit on the
residency requirement, so disaster evacuees may apply for participation when
they move to another area served by FDPIR.
5. Will disaster evacuees housed with a host family be
considered a separate household for eligibility purposes for CSFP, TEFAP,
and FDPIR?
In order to provide needed nutrition assistance, disaster evacuees residing
with a host family may be considered, for the duration of the disaster from
which they evacuated, a separate household for the purpose of determining
eligibility for regular program benefits under CSFP, TEFAP, and FDPIR.
However, the host family would have to separately meet the eligibility
requirements in order to participate in any of these programs.
6. Will FNS provide additional CSFP caseload to States to
which disaster evacuees relocate to provide continuing assistance to those
evacuees who were participating in CSFP in the State in which they were
residing prior to the disaster?
Because of limited CSFP resources, FNS does not have the authority to
increase the total caseload that may be served by the program, nor can FNS
authorize States to exceed assigned caseload in order to provide service to
disaster evacuees. However, FNS encourages CSFP States in areas to which
disaster evacuees are relocated to use their entire caseload to provide
continuing service to current participants, and to provide assistance to the
evacuees that are in need of assistance to the extent possible. In addition,
disaster evacuees that relocate to another State who are in need of
nutrition assistance should be encouraged to apply for other FNS programs,
such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and TEFAP.
7. Will FNS waive the eligibility requirements for
organizations that wish to distribute CSFP and TEFAP foods to disaster
evacuees?
FNS believes that there are sufficient organizations that meet the
eligibility requirements and are able to provide the necessary assistance
without compromising program integrity by waiving these requirements. CSFP
and TEFAP have well-established distribution networks in most areas in which
the programs operate. Therefore, FNS does not believe that it is in the best
interest of the programs or individuals requiring assistance to waive the
current eligibility requirements for organizations that wish to participate
in these programs. States are encouraged, however, to process any requests
for participation as quickly as possible, and are encouraged to seek new
organizations in those areas that may be underserved as a result of an
influx of disaster evacuees.
For further information regarding disaster assistance policies and
procedures, please refer to the Food Distribution Division’s
Disaster Manual.
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.
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