Food Assistance Recipients Helped on Irene Losses

HARTFORD, Conn. – More than 208,000 Connecticut food stamp recipients are getting help to replace food spoiled by power outages or flooding from Hurricane Irene, according to Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby.

"The Department of Social Services is working with the federal government to extend the storm-related safety net to residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program," Bremby said in a statement.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service has approved over $13 million in replacement benefits for Connecticut households enrolled in the federally funded program, formerly known as food stamps.

The federal approval authorizes replacement benefits equal to 25% of recipients' monthly food stamps allocation for August.

That means a one-time boost ranging from $4 to over $300, depending on income and household size. The average replacement benefit is estimated at $62, Bremby said.

The Department of Social Services electronically transmitted the replacement benefits to clients' accounts this week. ATM-style cards are used to buy federally-approved food items only at supermarkets and grocery stores. To be eligible, recipients had to have been enrolled in the food program when Irene hit Connecticut.

"The federal approval for an across-the-board 25% replacement benefit for eligible households in Connecticut is due in large part to the extensive and lengthy power outages that affected so many areas of the state," Bremby said.

Bremby also announced federal approval of an extra step to assist program recipients who lost food as a result of storm damage. The cost of food originally purchased with program benefits and spoiled through power outages and flooding can be reimbursed within "certain parameters."

If the value of spoiled food is more than 25% of a household's August food stamps allocation, an individual or family can report the value of spoiled food that was purchased with program benefits and request additional replacement benefits.

The total amount of replacement benefits (including the 25% alreadty issued automatically) cannot be more than what the household received in August.

To be eligible for this added benefit, recipients must report that they have incurred food loss by calling 2-1-1 (toll-free) or by logging in and registering at www.211ct.org. by the Sept. 19 midnight deadline.

Secondly, recipients must return a program replacement form within 10 days of the date they report the loss. The form will be mailed to people who report food losses by the Sept. 19 deadline.

Do you support additional food benefits for low-income families and individuals whose food was spoiled during Hurricane Irene? Leave a comment below.

 

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