Iowans affected by April/May storms can now apply for D-SNAP, emergency food benefits

Presidential Disaster Declarations announced for Iowa following severe storms: Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits now available.

In light of the severe storms that occurred in Iowa on April 26-27 and May 20-21, two Presidential Disaster Declarations have been announced. As a result, qualifying individuals may be eligible for the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

D-SNAP Benefits: What Iowans Need to Know

The declarations authorize the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide D-SNAP benefits to Iowans residing in specific ZIP codes that were impacted by the tornadoes and storms.

Those ZIP codes for the April 26-27 storm are:

• 50213
• 50327
• 50801
• 50854
• 50863
• 51503
• 51526
• 51527
• 51537
• 51542
• 51548
• 51553
• 51557
• 51567
• 51564
• 51570
• 51578

And the ZIP codes for the May 20-21 storm are:

• 50007
• 50046
• 50201
• 50849
• 50864

Eligibility depends on whether individuals endured a storm-related loss and meet certain income and resource criteria during the respective storm periods.

The D-SNAP uses different qualifying rules than regular SNAP. Some individuals who may not usually qualify for SNAP due to income may be eligible for D-SNAP if they experienced one or more disaster-related expenses, including loss of or no access to income, out-of-pocket repairs to the home or self-employment business not reimbursed in 30 days, or temporary shelter expenses.

Eligible individuals will receive food dollars on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card equivalent to the maximum allotment of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for their household size. D-SNAP benefits can be used at any SNAP-authorized retailer, including farmers markets and certain online retailers.

Applications for D-SNAP can be initiated either by phone or in person within certain hours from June 25 to June 29. In-person applications and interviews can be completed at designated locations in Council Bluffs, Creston, and Des Moines. Proof of identity, and possibly proof of residence in the storm-affected area, income, and disaster-related expenses may be required during application.

For more details and a complete list of authorized retailers, please refer to the USDA SNAP retailer locator or visit Iowa’s D-SNAP website.

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This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

This story was generated in part by AI and edited by The Iowa Starting Line staff.