Current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as “food stamps”) recipients in 32 counties whose households lost food because of the June 17 severe storms may request a replacement of benefits up to the monthly amount received for June 2023. Customers must submit their request form by Friday, July 7.
Current Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as “food stamps”) recipients in 32 counties whose households lost food because of the June 17 severe storms may request a replacement of benefits up to the monthly amount received for June 2023. Customers must submit their request form by Friday, July 7.
Counties covered in this waiver include Atoka, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Delaware, Ellis, Harper, Hughes, Johnston, Latimer, Leflore, Lincoln, Logan, Major, Mayes, McCurtain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Oklahoma, Okmulgee, Osage, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Rogers, Seminole, Sequoyah, Tulsa and Wagoner.
Customers whose benefits have already been replaced through the recent mass replacement waiver or who have previously submitted a Request for Destroyed Food Replacement form will not receive any additional replacement benefits. Additionally, customers who have submitted a form but have not yet received their replacement benefits do not need to submit an additional form or take any additional action.
“We know so many of our neighbors experienced devastation and loss during these storms, and want to use all our available resources to step forward and offer help,” said Deb Smith, Director of Adult and Family Services. “We encourage families who have been affected to request a replacement of their benefits immediately so they don’t have to worry about additional food costs while they get back on their feet.”
Usually, SNAP customers would only have 10 calendar days to request a replacement of SNAP benefits. However, the agency received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA-FNS) to allow additional time for customers to report their loss of food. Affected households in the identified counties must submit the Request for Destroyed Food Replacement form by Friday, July 7.
“We understand unfortunate events, such as a disaster, can cause unexpected disruptions in people’s lives,” said Southwest Regional Administrator, Bill Ludwig. “The additional time for SNAP recipient families to report their food losses will, hopefully, provide some peace of mind.”
Recipients who have lost their food benefit card may request a replacement card online at www. connectebt.com, or by contacting Conduent at 1-888-3286551. Persons needing food assistance may apply for SNAP at OKDHSLive.org via computer or mobile device. Those unable to complete the application online may also call 405-522-5050 to make an application by proxy over the phone. Individuals receiving state benefits, foster care reimbursements, adoption assistance or Child Support on the “Oklahoma Mastercard” debit card who have lost their card due to the storms may request a replacement card by calling 1-888401-9843 for non-Child Support Mastercards, or 1-888-929-2460 for Child Support Mastercards. If their home has been completely destroyed and they have no way of receiving a replacement card in the mail, recipients may request the replacement card be sent to them at an alternate mailing address.
Anyone needing to apply for benefits may do so online at OKDHSLive. org. For additional services and resources not provided by Oklahoma Human Services, please call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 Oklahoma website.
--- About Oklahoma Human Services
Oklahoma Human Services offers help and hope to more than 1.5 million Oklahomans each year through a wide range of services and support that promote their safety, independence and wellbeing. Learn more at https:// oklahoma.gov/okdhs.html and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
--- About USDA-FNS USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and improve food and nutrition security through a suite of 16 nutrition assistance programs, such as the school breakfast and lunch programs, WIC and SNAP. Together, these programs serve 1 in 4 Americans over the course of a year, promoting consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, and affordable food essential to optimal health and well-being. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. FNS’s report, “Leveraging the White House Conference to Promote and Elevate Nutrition Security: The Role of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” highlights ways the agency will support the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy, released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health in September 2022. To learn more about FNS, visit www.fns. usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.
