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Description
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The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
provides food assistance to those in areas affected by a disaster.
This Federal assistance is in addition to that provided by State and
local governments. |
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FNS provides emergency relief in three
ways: |
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Distributes commodity foods to shelters and
other mass feeding sites;
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Distributes commodity food packages
directly to households in need;
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Authorizes State agencies to issue
emergency food stamp benefits.
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Background
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FNS’ authority to provide emergency relief
exists under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1987, and other
authorizing legislation. |
Emergency Food Assistance
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Every
State and U.S. territory stores commodity foods in
warehouses for use in USDA sponsored food programs such as
the National School Lunch Program and the Emergency Food
Assistance Program. |
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Under the
Federal Emergency Response Plan, FNS provides foods to
disaster relief agencies to feed people at shelters and mass
feeding sites. States can also, with FNS approval, release
these foods to disaster relief agencies to distribute
directly to households that are in need as a result of an
emergency. Such direct distribution takes place when normal
commercial food supply channels such as grocery stores have
been disrupted, damaged or destroyed, or are unable to
function. |
Emergency SNAP
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FNS can
authorize the issuance of emergency SNAP benefits when
the President declares a major disaster. States must request
that FNS allow them to issue emergency benefits in areas
affected by a disaster. FNS works closely with States to
prepare plans for the Disaster SNAP Program. |
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People who might not ordinarily qualify for
SNAP benefits may be eligible under the disaster SNAP if they had expenses related to protecting, repairing, or
evacuating their homes; or if they have lost income as a result of
the disaster. |
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People who are already participating in
SNAP may be eligible for additional benefits
under the disaster SNAP program. |
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Disaster benefits are provided like regular
program benefits – through a debit card that can be used at
authorized food retailers to buy food. These systems are commonly
referred to as Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems. |
Contact Information
Last modified: October 2007
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