Guide to Disaster Food Assistance & D-SNAP (updated August 2024)
Have you been affected by recent storms or severe weather? If your food was lost or destroyed during a weather-related power outage, you could qualify for extra food stamps to replace your spoiled food.
Don’t wait to apply! Each state has a different deadline.
Keep reading to learn more about eligibility, application deadlines, and how to apply for food benefits and other disaster relief in affected states.
States with active Disaster SNAP waivers:
| State | D-SNAP application deadline | How to apply |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | August 16 (Lincoln, Otero, and specified zip codes in Rio Arriba (87548, 87510, 87537, 87566, 87412) and San Juan (87037, 87364, 87401, 87402, 87410, 87412, 87413, 87415, 87416, 87417, 87418, 87419, 87420, 87421, 87455, 87461) counties) | Call 1-800-283-4465 |
| Florida | August 14 (Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Levy, Madison, Suwannee, Taylor, Union, and Wakulla counties) | Apply here |
| New York | August 14 (Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins, Warren and Washington) | Contact your local benefits office |
| Oregon | August 16 (Baker, Grant, Linn, Malheur, Morrow, and Umatilla counties), August 21 (Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Morrow, Wasco, and Wheeler counties) | Apply online |
| California | August 19 (Riverside County), August 27 (Butte, Kern, Plumas, Riverside, Shasta, and Tehama counties) | Contact your county office |
What is Disaster SNAP or D-SNAP? What types of disaster assistance are available?
When a natural disaster strikes, your state human services agency works with the federal government to restore services like SNAP benefits.
Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) offers short-term food assistance benefits to families recovering from a disaster. In addition to D-SNAP, your state may allow you to get EBT benefits early, replace benefits used for spoiled or destroyed food, or temporarily buy hot foods with your EBT card.
The federal government, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), may also help you with home repairs, temporary housing, or property damage (appliances, furniture, vehicle, etc), child care, medical, lodging, moving, and funeral expenses.
Who is eligible for disaster assistance or D-SNAP?
To be eligible for disaster food assistance, you must live in a county with an active disaster response. You can check which counties currently have disaster waiver flexibilities to help existing SNAP households in affected areas in the table above and here.
If you live outside the specified counties but lost food during a recent storm, you can still apply for replacement benefits by visiting a local benefits office within 10 days of discovering your food was lost or spoiled.
For other resources, visit disasterassistance.gov to see the list of states where FEMA has declared disasters eligible for Individual Assistance. Select a state to see if your county is in a declared area.
Accepting disaster assistance funds will not affect eligibility for other benefit programs such as Social Security or Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, or other federal benefit programs. Also, disaster assistance is not taxable.
Do I need to be enrolled in SNAP to get disaster assistance?
It depends on your state. In some places, people who might not ordinarily qualify for SNAP may be eligible for D-SNAP if they had disaster related expenses, such as property damage, relocation expenses or loss of food from power outages. Check with your local assistance office.
How can I apply for D-SNAP or FEMA relief?
How can I get extra SNAP benefits?
To replace your food stamps in the event of a weather emergency, call your local 2-1-1 number or contact your county food assistance office. We have more specific instructions for select states at the top of this guide.
How can I get help from FEMA?
For other recovery resources like funds for home repairs, property damage, funeral expenses, temporary housing, medical or dental expenses, or child care costs, follow these steps:
- Visit https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ and click “Let’s Get Started”
- Tell FEMA where you are and about your needs
- Create an account or sign into Login.gov to finish your application
Applications are typically processed in 7-10 business days. If you need help with your application, you can call the FEMA Helpline: 1-800-621-3362, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (in your time zone), 7 days a week.
Where can I get more help?
- Start a GoFundMe fundraiser. You can raise funds for basic necessities following natural disasters and weather emergencies. Once you have an active fundraiser that explains your need, you could be considered for up to $1,000 from GoFundMe.org. Learn more here.
- Find a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) are facilities and mobile offices you can visit to learn more about FEMA and other disaster assistance programs. You may also visit to ask questions about your case. Find the hours, services, and locations of DRCs near you here.
- Call the American Red Cross for shelter: Dial 800-733-2767 nationwide or find an open shelter online.
- Visit a Salvation Army Mobile Site: The Salvation Army distributes meals, water, ice, cleaning supplies, and other household essentials in the aftermath of natural disasters. Find a site near you.