KHI NEWS SERVICE
TOPEKA, July 9
The Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services will now offer disaster food assistance to residents of Elk, Miami, Montgomery, Neosho and Wilson Counties.
Only counties that have received presidential disaster declarations for individual assistance qualify for the aid, which make food stamps available to those who qualify who weren”t enrolled in the federal program before the flood.
“Disaster food assistance helps individuals meet their most basic needs immediately following a disaster and helps people get back on their feet,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said in a prepared statement. “I encourage residents who need help to apply for assistance right away.”
Individuals who live in the approved counties or those who worked in the disaster areas and have lost wages are eligible. Benefits will be issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that will be activated upon approval. In most cases this can be done instantly, but may take as long as 24 hours.
SRS will issue replacement of food stamp benefits to cover the loss of food from the flooding. Individuals must apply within 10 days of the loss and complete an affidavit of food loss to receive replacement benefits.
SRS continues to offer food stamp replacement to residents of the following counties, which have been declared disaster areas by the governor: Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Butler, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Coffey, Cowley, Franklin, Greenwood, Linn, Osage, and Woodson.
Households that received food stamp benefits at the time of the disaster will receive individual supplements that raise their July allotment to the maximum for household size. Households must file an affidavit attesting that they have lost income or incurred disaster-related expenses.
“SRS will do whatever we can do to ensure Kansans have access to services,” said Secretary Don Jordan. “We have staff across the state ready to help.”
Individuals can receive more information and apply for services at the disaster recovery centers, Red Cross emergency shelters, or at any SRS office. Applications will be accepted for seven business days, beginning Monday, July 9th through Tuesday, July 17th. The benefit period began June 26th and will end July 25th.
For more information call toll-free 1-888-369-4777.