Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

Revised December 13, 2011

Purpose:

This section explains the general eligibility criteria for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) and when the State may use it.

WAC 388-437-0001 Disaster food stamp program.

Clarifying Information - WAC 388-437-0001

The disaster must be declared by the President or FNS. When the disaster is declared, FNS negotiates with the department to determine:

  • What eligibility rules we will use;
  • The length of time we will accept D-SNAP applications in each area;
  • If the allotment will be for a half or full month; and
  • How we will calculate D-SNAP benefits.

General Guidelines

  1. Disaster related loss: The assistance unit must have a loss from a federally declared disaster:
  2. Residency: At the time of the disaster, the assistance unit lives within the geographical area designated as part of the disaster area. After the disaster, the assistance unit may be eligible for D-SNAP even if they are temporarily living outside the designated disaster area.
  3. Purchase and prepare: The assistance unit must purchase food and prepare meals together during the disaster certification period. Assistance units residing in temporary shelters that provide 50%of their meals during this period are ineligible for D-SNAP.
  4. Resources: Non-liquid resources are excluded. Liquid resources such as cash on hand or cash balances in accessible checking or savings accounts are considered as "income".
  5. Current food assistance recipients: Food assistance recipients may also be eligible for D-SNAP benefits. When an assistance unit receives a replacement issuance before the D-SNAP is implemented, the replacement amount is deducted from the D-SNAP allotment.
  6. Other eligibility criteria:
    1. The following eligibility factors are not applicable to D-SNAP:
      1. Alien status;
      2. Social Security number;
      3. Student status; and
      4. Work requirements.
    2. A prior disqualification in the regular food assistance programs does not disqualify an applicant for D-SNAP.

D-SNAP Procedures

After the disaster is declared and FNS approves use of a D-SNAP, CSOs will receive instructions, procedures, and forms. These will be sent from the Community Services Division headquarters or the state office disaster alternate (Region 1).