Disaster SNAP/ Food Stamp Benefits (D-SNAP)

The deadline to apply for D-SNAP was Friday, June 24, 2011.

What are Disaster SNAP/ Food Stamps or D-SNAP?

D-SNAP Food Stamps are emergency SNAP/Food Stamps. You can use D-SNAP to buy food in grocery stores. You may be able to buy hot food at some stores in Worcester and Hampden counties. Not all shops will accept your EBT/SNAP card. Ask before you order.

If you are approved for D-SNAP benefits, you will get an Electronic Benefit card (EBT) with one month of benefits on it.

The amount of your benefit is based on the number of people that live in your household. See the D-SNAP Standard and Allotments Chart.

Can I get D-SNAP benefits?

You can phone 1‐800‐445‐6604 to find out if you can get D-SNAP. To get D-SNAP, you must show the following:

On June 1, 2011, you lived in one of these 12 Massachusetts towns in Worcester or Hampden counties: Agawam, Brimfield, Charlton, Chicopee, Monson, Palmer, Southbridge, Springfield, Sturbridge, West Springfield, Westfield, Wilbraham, or
you were working in one of those towns;
You were not getting regular SNAP/ Food Stamps on June 1, 2011. If you were getting regular SNAP/Food Stamps find out about Supplemental SNAP;
At least one of the following things happened to you because of the tornados on June 1:
- you lost income;
- your home or business was damaged;
- you have disaster related expenses like home repairs, temporary shelter expenses, evacuation expenses;
- you cannot get to your assets, like your bank account, because the bank is closed due to the tornados;
- your food was damaged or spoiled because of the tornado or power outages after the tornado; and
Your finances are low enough to get D-SNAP.
The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) will decide if your finances are low enough. They will:
1. Start with the total take home (net) income you expect to get in June 2011;
2. Add "liquid assets" you have that you can use right away, like money in the bank that you can get to -they will not count money in retirement accounts;
3. Subtract the money you have already spent on disaster related expenses, if you live in one of the 12 towns. They will also subtract money you expect you will have to pay for disaster related expenses, in June 2011;and
4. Compare the final amount to the D-SNAP Standard and Allotments Chart.
5. If the amount is less than the Disaster Gross Income Limit for a household of your size, your income is low enough to get D-SNAP.

What if I regularly get SNAP/Food Stamps?

If you live in any of the 12 towns and you can show you lost food, you may be able to get Supplemental SNAP, but you must have applied by Friday, June 24.

How do I apply for D-SNAP?

Note

You apply for D-SNAP in addition to FEMA. You must do both.

You must have already applied for D-SNAP by Friday June 24, 2011
You can apply in person at these DTA offices:

Springfield DTA
95 Liberty Street
413-858-1000
or
310 State Street
413-858-1300

Southbridge DTA
1 North Street
508-765-2400

Monson/Palmer
Department of Developmental Service Central/West Regional Office
171 State Avenue
Palmer
413-284-1563, 413-284-5090, 413-284-5091 (8am-6pm)
1-800-328-3123 (8:30am-4:30pm)
If you do not live near these DTA offices because of the tornado, you can apply at your local DTA office.
You will need to show DTA proof of your identity.
You can prove your identity with a photo ID like a driver's license, or two other docouments that show who you are. If you do not have these documents because of the tornado, you can give DTA a signed statement from someone else that can tell them who you are. Or, you can bring someone who can tell DTA who you are when you go to the DTA office. DTA should not deny you D-SNAP because of problems showing your identity.
DTA may ask you to show proof that on June 1, 2011 you were living in one of the 12 towns hit by the tornados.
You can prove this by showing them bills, driver's license or other papers that have both your name and the address of the damaged property. If you do not have these documents, DTA should not hold up your application.
DTA will ask you to fill out a form about the income you lost and your disaster related expenses. If you have receipts and any documents that show this information, it helps to show it to the DTA worker. If you do not have a way to prove these expenses and loss of income, DTA should not hold up your application.

How long will it take to get D-SNAP benefits?

You should be able to use your D-SNAP benefits within 2 business days after you file your application.

To find out if benefits have been put on your EBT card, call 1-800-997-2555.

I applied for regular SNAP/ Food Stamp benefits before June 1, 2011, but my case has not been approved yet – can I get D-SNAP benefits?

Yes!

If your SNAP case was open on June 1, 2011 you cannot get D-SNAP benefits.

If you applied for SNAP before June 1, 2011 but you have not been approved yet, you can apply for D-SNAP benefits. Contact DTA right away to start a D-SNAP application. Your D-SNAP benefits may be more than SNAP/Food Stamps.

What if I am living in a shelter that provides meals?

If you are living in a shelter that gives you at least 2 meals a day, you cannot get D-SNAP benefits.

What if I do not speak English?

DTA must give you professional interpreter services. DTA cannot make you bring your own interpreter to apply for D-SNAP.

What if DTA denies my D-SNAP?

If DTA denies your D-SNAP application, you can appeal.

If you are denied, DTA will send you a notice in the mail. On the back of the notice there is a form you can use to appeal the denial. Fill out the form. Keep a copy of your filled out form. Send the form to the address that is printed on the form.

Income Eligibility Standards and Allotments -- Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Program

October 1, 2010 – September 30, 2011

Household Size	Disaster Gross Income Limit	Maximum Allotment
1	$1503	$200
2	$1815	$367
3	$2126	$526
4	$2449	$668
5	$2787	$793
6	$3124	$952
7	$3436	$1,052
8	$3748	$1,202
Each Additional Member	+$312	+$150

Produced by Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
Last updated June 25, 2011