Mississippi SNAP recipients affected by Winter Storm Fern will have the opportunity to apply for replacement benefits.
The Mississippi Department of Human Services allows beneficiaries of the federal food assistance program to seek relief whenever items purchased with SNAP funds are destroyed due to a disaster, including an ice storm that causes the power to go out. Fern, which has now passed through Mississippi, left behind a statewide high of 180,000-plus power outages. As of Monday morning, more than 150,000 residents were still without power.
“If you lose food due to a power outage caused by a weather event and the power was out for six hours or longer, you can receive replacement benefits, if approved,” a statement from the MDHS reads. “The power outage must be a direct result of the weather event.”
Those who meet the criteria will be asked to report the value of the food lost in the disaster. If approved, replacement benefits equal to the value of the food lost will be issued, up to the maximum amount of SNAP benefits issued for the month, per officials.
For food purchased with SNAP benefits to be replaced, the disaster must be reported within 10 days of the date the loss occurred. Forms seeking replacement benefits can be turned in here.