Not having power for a few hours during a natural disaster or other unplanned event can have effects that are much worse than just being inconvenient. People who are qualified for food stamps have a chance to make up some of the money they lost.
The recent power outage in Ohio on August 6 made it impossible for many families to store food, which cost them a lot of money. People who depend on SNAP payments now have a chance to get some of what they lost back.
The USDA’s response and extended deadlines for food stamps assistance
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) stepped in to offer an answer because the problem was so bad. A lot of people in Ohio had trouble with their daily lives because of the power outage. Many families also couldn’t keep their food fresh. Because of this, families who got SNAP payments lost the food they bought with the money.
The USDA and the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) worked together to give the state of Ohio a special waiver because they knew how bad the problem was. The normal time limit to file for new SNAP benefits was ten days. This waiver increased that time limit to thirty days, giving those affected more time to handle their claims.
Who is eligible to request SNAP benefit replacements?
To get this advantage, you have to show that the food loss was caused by a power outage that lasted at least four hours. Families that meet this condition can ask for money to replace the food they lost, as long as it doesn’t go over the total amount of SNAP benefits they are supposed to get that month.
Families who depend on SNAP to make sure they have food are very important to this replacing process. It’s important to remember that the program’s goal is to give low-income people and families the money they need to buy healthy food. Losing that food because of a natural disaster or power loss can be very bad.
The importance of the deadline: September 5, 2024
The waiver gives people more time to ask for new benefits, but they need to act quickly—before September 5, 2024. Applications will no longer be accepted after this date. Claims sent in after this date will not be handled. People who are touched by the extension have more time to get the information they need and send in their applications without having to rush, but they shouldn’t wait until the last minute.
Requesting new SNAP benefits is a pretty easy process, but you need to pay close attention to every detail. People who are eligible must call the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Family Services office in their area.
There, they have to fill out a certain form to show how much food they lost because of the power shutdown. Additionally, they might be asked to show proof that the power outage damaged their home, like a letter from the power company.
Tips for managing SNAP benefits during emergencies
The situation in Ohio underscores the importance of being prepared for emergencies and knowing how to protect the food resources received through SNAP. Here are some tips that may be useful for future incidents:
- Keep proof of food purchases: Retain receipts for food purchases made with SNAP benefits to help document losses in case of a power outage or natural disaster.
- Understand program rules: Familiarize yourself with SNAP’s rules and regulations, including how replacement compensations work in the event of food loss, to make the replacement request process easier.
- Stay informed: During emergencies, it’s important to follow updates from local authorities and ODJFS to stay informed of any changes or extensions to the deadlines for submitting requests.
- Report issues quickly: If you experience a power outage or any other event that affects food purchased with SNAP, it’s crucial to report the situation as soon as possible to your local ODJFS office.
Impact of power outages on affected counties
Ohio power outages were not limited to one county. They happened in several counties in the northeastern part of the state, such as Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Summit, and Trumbull.
The power outage on August 6 reminded many families in these places of how vulnerable they are when they depend on electricity to keep their food fresh. These events make aid programs like SNAP even more important. These programs are meant to help people meet their food needs in normal times as well as give extra help during emergencies.