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Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
More Pike Residents Affected by Flood Can Get Food Benefits, Disaster Assistance
Application deadline extended to Aug. 13
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Steve Beshear announced today that more families affected by the recent flooding in Pike County are eligible to apply for aid from a federal disaster assistance program.
Kentucky recently received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Nutrition Service (FNS) to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide additional resources to purchase food in Pike County for residents who were affected by recent flooding and mudslides. Gov. Beshear announced today that four additional zip codes have been added to the FNS service area in Pike County.
Since the initial announcement, FNS has expanded the disaster area in Pike County to the following zip codes: 41513, 41540, 41559 and 41562. The deadline to receive applications has been extended by three days to Aug. 13.
“These floods have devastated families and entire communities, and we are working to get assistance to families affected by this tragedy,” Gov. Beshear said. “With this assistance, our goal is to help people in need so they can return to normal as quickly as possible.”
The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Department for Community Based Services provides food benefits by administering SNAP, formerly known as the food stamps program, in county offices across the state.
The federal waivers and assistance from the disaster SNAP funding will benefit both families who are already receiving food benefits and those who do not qualify for food benefits under the regular program.
The Disaster SNAP program also targets those residing in the following zip codes: 41501, 41502, 41522, 41539 and 41557. Families living in the affected zip code areas in Pike County may apply. Individuals who worked in Pike County and have lost income may also apply.
Last month, Gov. Beshear requested and Kentucky received a federal disaster declaration for Pike County in response to the July 17 flood, qualifying residents in the most-affected areas for individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and allowing Kentucky to operate a disaster SNAP program.
One-time disaster-related assistance
Residents who live or work in the affected zip codes and do not currently participate in the regular food benefit program or are not eligible for food benefits under normal eligibility guidelines may apply for help with food costs. To be eligible, the household must have experienced a loss of food, damage or destruction of their home or a self-owned business, incurred unreimbursed disaster related expenses, loss of income or have no access to liquid resources. A household’s income and accessible resources will be counted in determining eligibility for the benefits. These are one-time benefits that will be based on the household size.
Applying for disaster-related assistance
DCBS is accepting Disaster SNAP applications through Friday, Aug. 13.
Applicants must bring proper identification and verification of residency. It is also recommended that applicants bring proof of Social Security numbers for all household members, take-home income, accessible resources, like savings and cash on hand, and statements to verify disaster-related expenses.
Families who have lost income and live or work in the affected zip codes may apply at the following Pikeville locations:
- Pikeville College Athletic Center, 100 Bank St.: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Aug 6
- Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center, 126 Main St.: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Aug. 7
- Department for Community Based Services local office, 295 Hambley Blvd.: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 7; and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13.
Supplemental food benefits for participants
Households who currently receive food benefits and live in the affected zip codes will receive extra food benefits. Families who live in the affected areas do not have to apply for these benefits as they will be automatically added to an eligible household’s electronic benefits card. Households who work, but do not live, in the affected area and lost income due to the disaster can apply for the supplemental benefits at locations listed above.
Hot foods waiver
Additionally, Pike County retailers will be allowed to accept food benefits/electronic benefits cards for prepared or hot foods for August. Normally, food benefits may not be used for food prepared by a retailer.
More information about food benefits eligibility is available online at http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/foodstampsebt.htm.
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