Disaster Food Assistance available in storm-affected Arkansas areas

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Officials announced that Arkansans impacted by tornadoes in March and April may be eligible for SNAP Disaster Assistance (D-SNAP).

The Arkansas Department of Human Services announced the program Thursday under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

To qualify, residents must have experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of the March 14-15 storms or the April 2-22 storms:

·   Damage to or destruction of their home or self-employment business

·   Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income, or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster-related problems

·   Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter, evacuation, etc.) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster benefit period.

The tables below outline the eligible zip codes by county:

March 14–15

Greene (72450)
Independence (72501, 72521)
Jackson (72112, 72075, 72473)
Lawrence (72415, 72458, 72466, 72410)
Randolph (72455, 72462, 72478, 72413, 72460)
Sharp (72521, 72569, 72466, 72513, 72542, 72482, 72459)
Stone (72663, 72680, 72533)

April 2–22

Clark (71923, 71743)
Craighead (72447)
Crittenden (72331, 72348, 72364)
Hot Spring (72104, 71923)
Pulaski (72209, 72076, 72113, 72118, 72205)
Saline (72015, 72018, 72019, 72022, 72209)
Sharp (72542)
White (72010, 72012, 72143, 72145, 72149)

Applications will be accepted from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. starting Monday, Aug. 4, through Sunday, Aug. 10, at designated DHS offices across the affected counties.

D-SNAP benefits are issued via electronic card and can be used to buy food at authorized retailers.

Officials said residents and workers seeking D-SNAP who previously contacted DHS about applying will receive instructions during the Aug. 4-Aug. 10 submission period.