USDA Offers D-SNAP Aid to Storm-Affected Kentucky Residents

By Blake Jackson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced that Kentucky residents impacted by recent severe storms, flooding, and straight-line winds may qualify for food assistance through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP). An estimated 12,600 households in 14 Kentucky counties could be eligible for this aid.

D-SNAP provides food assistance to those who wouldn't typically qualify for SNAP benefits, but who have been affected by a disaster and meet specific disaster-related income and expense criteria.

“USDA is dedicated to helping individuals and families in Kentucky as they grapple with the aftermath of recent storms and flooding,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. “We are expediting disaster assistance programs and working closely with state and local partners to provide support to impacted individuals as quickly as possible.”

Kentucky will accept D-SNAP applications virtually and in-person from March 5th through March 7th, 2025. Eligible counties include Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Simpson. Further details about application dates and locations will be shared through local media.

To be eligible for D-SNAP, households must live or work in a designated disaster area, have been impacted by the disaster, and meet D-SNAP income and expense criteria.

Eligible households will receive one month of benefits, equivalent to the maximum monthly SNAP amount for their household size, to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores or online.

In addition to D-SNAP, USDA has approved other measures to assist Kentucky residents:

• A waiver allowing SNAP recipients in 22 counties to purchase hot foods and hot food products with their benefits through March 27, 2025.
• Waivers for the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits lost due to power outages.
• Automatic issuance of supplemental SNAP benefits to existing SNAP households in the 14 approved counties to reach the maximum allotment for their household size.

For more information about Kentucky SNAP, visit Kynect Benefits. Kentucky residents can also dial 2-1-1 for information about this and other available aid.

Photo Credit: usda