Residents of the state of Georgia that have been impacted by natural disasters, including Hurricanes, may qualify for disaster food stamps. In this article, we will explain how the Georgia Disaster Food Stamps Program works (Georgia D-SNAP).
We will also talk about the eligibility requirements for Georgia D-SNAP, how to apply for assistance and where to apply.
If you have been negatively impacted by a natural disaster in Georgia, this post will answer any questions you have about Disaster Food Assistance or replacement.
We will cover:
- How to get Disaster Food Assistance
- What Disaster Assistance provides
- Who qualifies for Disaster Assistance
- How to Apply for D-SNAP
- Who to Contact about Georgia D-SNAP
- What to do if you Lost Food
- How to Apply for Food Stamp Replacement
Disaster Food Stamps in Georgia
There is a strict process for disaster food stamps outlined by FEMA and the United States Department of Agriculture that must be followed anytime there is a natural disaster in a state and there is a need for food assistance.
We have outlined the three-step process that must be followed in order to get disaster food stamps in Georgia.
How to get Disaster Food Stamps
Follow the steps listed below to get disaster food assistance in Georgia:
Step 1: Find out if you live in a Disaster Declared area
The first step is to find out if your state has received a Presidential disaster declaration of individual assistance (IA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This is the first step that has to happen before there is any plan by the state regarding disaster food stamps.
Once the President makes the disaster declaration, it gives official federal approval for emergency food assistance in disaster areas. To find out if FEMA has announced a Major Disaster Declaration for your state, click here.
For instance, when you go to the FEMA website, you should look for a declaration like the one below.
Disaster Declaration Announcement
Disaster Declaration announced for Hurricane Irma in September 2017:
Georgia Hurricane Irma (DR-4338)
Incident period: September 07, 2017 to September 20, 2017
Major Disaster Declaration declared on September 15, 2017
What does Disaster Assistance provide?
Once the declaration comes with the words “Major Disaster Declaration,” then the state is now able to provide disaster assistance if they choose to.
Disaster assistance can include:
- Disaster Food Stamps or D-SNAP
- Individuals and Households Program
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance
- Crisis Counseling Program
- Disaster Case Management
- Disaster Legal Services
Step 2: Check your Eligibility for Disaster Assistance
If your state has received approval to operate the D-SNAP program in the affected disaster area, information about the program is typically sent out to media outlets, including local TV, Radio Stations and newspapers.
This media announcement will provide more information about program eligibility guidelines and application process. It will also list all the places in the disaster area where you can apply for D-SNAP in person.
A good place to check is your local newspaper, TV Stations, and other media outlets in the local area. Be sure to also check their website, as they may provide more information on disaster food stamps there.
For help determining if you are eligible for D-SNAP benefits, keep reading below.
Step 3: Apply for D-SNAP Assistance
If you meet the eligibility guidelines for disaster assistance, now you can apply for D-SNAP assistance.
The application process is simplified for D-SNAP and benefits are issued to eligible applicants within 72 hours. This is to better serve those who are facing a life-threatening situation.
For instructions and help on how to apply for D-SNAP benefits, follow the steps outlined below.
How to Apply for Disaster Food Stamp in Georgia
If you live in Georgia, follow these steps to successfully apply for Disaster Food Stamps.
Step 1: Check your Eligibility
Similar to SNAP, you MUST meet eligibility requirements to be approved for the program. The good news is that once you are approved, you can get access to your benefits quickly.
The most important eligibility criteria is the income limit. We have provided the income limit table for you below.
D-SNAP Income Limit Chart
Use the chart provided below to determine if your household income meets the D-SNAP requirements.
Please note that income is based on household size. With that said, the larger your household, the larger the income limit is to qualify.
D-SNAP Deductions
Disaster Food Stamps allows you to deduct certain non-reimbursable disaster-related spending. These expenses can include:
- Medical Bills
- Evacuation Costs
- Storage Fees
These disaster-related costs can be subtracted from your household’s total gross income. Doing this will determine the total net income for your household.
However, please note that the Net Income Limit is the maximum monthly income for a family after all deductions.
Step 2: Complete your Georgia D-SNAP Application
Now that you have determined that you are eligible to receive Disaster Food Stamp benefits, you can complete the Georgia D-SNAP Application.
You can complete the application for Disaster Food Stamps in-person at your local Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office or any approved D-SNAP Center.
To find a Georgia DFCS Office near you, use the office locator here.
For help finding an approved D-SNAP location near you, contact the Georgia DFCS. You can also contact the DFCS Help Hotline at the following phone number.
Georgia DFCS D-SNAP Help Hotline
Phone Number
They can provide you with more information on approved Disaster Food Stamp application locations.
Typically, you can also find D-SNAP location information through local media outlets such as TV, newspapers, and radio stations.
What to bring when applying for D-SNAP
Individuals and families applying for D-SNAP benefits must provide verification information to receive benefits.
You must provide the following items:
- Proof of Identity – Drivers License or Government-Issued ID
- Proof of Income – Pay Stub, W-2, Deposit Statement
To apply for disaster assistance, you must bring these items with you to a designated D-SNAP location.
While the D-SNAP application process is simplified compared to the traditional SNAP application process, the DFCS still needs basic information to determine your eligibility.
When will I receive D-SNAP benefits?
You can receive D-SNAP benefits within 72 hours of being approved. If you do not receive benefits within the 72-hour period, please contact your local DFCS office or call the DFCS Help Hotline at 1-800-436-7442.
Additionally, you can visit the Georgia DFCS website and click on your county for more information.
If you need assistance applying for Disaster Food Stamps in Georgia or have additional questions about D-SNAP, please use the contact information provided below.
D-SNAP Contact Information
In addition, if you need additional help with Georgia Disaster Assistance, please use the contact information provided below.
Georgia DFCS Help Phone Number
FEMA Help Phone Number
1-800-621-3362
TTY 800-462-7585
Emergency Medical Assistance
If you need Emergency Medical Assistance please call 9-1-1 immediately.
Replacement Food Stamp Benefits
You may qualify for replacement food stamp benefits if you are already receiving Georgia SNAP and have been affected by a major disaster.
Similarly, if you have lost food that you purchased with your Georgia EBT card, you can apply for food benefits replacement.
To apply for replacement benefits, follow the step-by-step instructions below.
How to Apply for Replacement Food Benefits in Georgia
Step 1: Determine if you Qualify for Replacement Food
The first step when applying for Replacement SNAP benefits is to find out if you qualify to receive them.
Who Qualifies for Replacement Food Benefits?
Your household may be eligible for replacement food benefits if you have been affected by:
- Flood
- Fire
- Ice Storm
- Hurricane
- Tornado
- Earthquake
- Any other Natural Disaster
In addition, those households who have experienced a power outage for four (4) or more hours and as a result, have lost food, may also be eligible for replacement food benefits.
Step 2: Complete the Georgia Food Loss Replacement Form
Finally, if you have determined that your household food loss qualifies for replacement, you can complete the Georgia Food Loss Replacement Form.
On the Replacement SNAP Form, you will be required to provide:
- First and Last Name
- County of Residence
- Address
- Phone Number
- Total Amount of Lost Food
- Date of the Disaster or Outage
Be sure you have all this information ready prior to completing your form.
Step 3: Submit your Completed Form to the DFCS
Once your Food Benefit Replacement Form is complete, submit it to the Georgia DFCS. Please mail or drop-off your completed form to your local Georgia DFCS Office.
Click here to find the DFCS Office near you.
Please note that you MUST submit your completed Georgia Food Loss Form to the DFCS within 10 days of the disaster or outage to receive replacement benefits.
How the DFCS Determines Food Loss Replacement
When your local DFCS Office receives your Food Stamp Replacement Form, they will verify the information you provided.
For example, if your loss is due to a power outage, the DFCS will gather power outage information directly from utility companies. They use this information to verify your outage duration. This will determine whether or not you qualify for replacement food stamps.
For other natural disasters, if there is widespread damage, the DFCS will request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This eliminates the need for households to provide proof of disasters and power outages. They will make every effort to communicate directly with local utility companies to obtain the necessary verification of mass outages.
Read our article for more information on how to get approved for replacement food stamps in Georgia.
Emergency Food Stamps in Georgia
If you or your family is experiencing hunger and struggling to meet your basic needs, you may qualify for Emergency Food Stamps in Georgia. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), also known as Emergency Food Stamps helps low-income Georgia households that are facing a food and nutrition crisis. This program provides households immediate relief to hunger.
To learn more about Emergency Food Assistance, including how to qualify and receive benefits, read our complete guide on Emergency Food Stamps in Georgia.
Free Food Banks in Georgia
If you are facing hunger, you can also get immediate relief by visiting your local food bank or community agency for food assistance. They can provide you with free groceries, hot meals, and resources that will help you and your family meet your basic needs.
To find a food bank or partner agency near you, check out our complete list of Free Food Banks in Georgia.
Georgia Disaster Food Stamps
We hope this post on on How to Apply for Disaster Food Stamps in Georgia was helpful to you. If you have additional questions about Disaster Food Stamps or Replacement Food Stamps, please leave those in the comments section below.
Also, be sure to check out our other articles about Georgia SNAP and EBT, including:
Georgia Emergency Allotment benefits by Month.
How do I renew my food stamps in GA?
What is the maximum income to qualify for Georgia SNAP?
How much will I get In food stamps In Georgia?
How do I Login to Georgia Gateway
Who qualifies for food stamps in GA?
Does Trader Joe’s Accept SNAP EBT in Georgia?