From the Atlantic County Office:
Beginning Monday, November 26, Atlantic County residents who incurred losses as a result of Superstorm Sandy, and who are not currently enrolled in the state's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (NJ-SNAP), may apply for a one-time disaster food assistance benefit with proper identification and required documentation.
Atlantic County is one of 16 counties in New Jersey that was approved for participation in the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) for individuals and families who suffered the harshest damages. D-SNAP is a federal safety-net program for people who are at risk for hunger because their disaster-recovery expenses have left them without money to buy food; it is not a food replacement program for anyone who lost power and perishable food items.
Applications will be accepted IN PERSON on weekdays from November 26 through December 4, 2012 at Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City as follows:
Monday, November 26 10 AM - 6 PM Last names A-E
Tuesday, November 27 9 AM - 6 PM Last names F-J
Wednesday, November 28 9 AM - 6 PM Last names K-O
Thursday, November 29 9 AM - 6 PM Last names P-S
Friday, November 30 9 AM - 6 PM Last names T-Z
Monday, December 3 and Tuesday, December 4 9 AM - 6 PM Make Up Days (last names A-Z)
D-SNAP applicants must provide:
- Identification and proof of residency - a driver's license, for example, would serve as both.
- Pay stubs and bank statements (cash, checking and savings) for the 30 days from Oct. 28 through Nov. 26. Under the guidelines, for a family of one, the income limit is $2,268 with a benefit of $200; a family of two is $2,965 limit with a $367 benefit; a family of three is $3,416 limit with a $526 benefit; and, a family of four is $4,034 limit with a $668 benefit.
- Receipts that show more than $100 spent on disaster-related expenses between Oct. 28 and Nov. 26. The cost of replacing food cannot be included in the $100, but restaurant expenses are allowed.
- Related expenses may include:
Temporary shelter in a motel
Home/business repairs
Evacuation expenses
Disaster clean up
Disaster related vehicle repairs
Gasoline for a generator
- Replacement of personal items, such as clothing or household items, such as appliances, tools, educational materials.
If any of the purchases were charged to a credit card, the resident must be able to document that they paid the credit card bill for these items by November 26.
Approved D-SNAP applicants will receive their benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card that can only be used for the purchase of grocery food items and some prepared foods.
Current food stamp recipients are not eligible for D-SNAP participation as they have already received an automatic allocation on their EBT cards for October replacement benefits and an additional supplemental benefit will be allocated by December 7, 2012.
A special Atlantic County D-SNAP hotline number will be activated on Monday, November 26. Please call (609) 343-2300 for information and updates.
