The Route 725 bridge in Taylors Valley over Laurel Creek damaged by Hurricane Helene. (Courtesy of Virginia Department of Transportation).
Some Southwest Virginians affected by this fall’s Hurricane Helene will be able to tap into the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (D-SNAP) program. Recipients will receive one month of benefits that they can use to purchase groceries at SNAP-authorized stores and select online retailers to help meet food needs as they stabilize in recovery efforts.
Youngkin urges Hurricane Helene survivors to contact officials, shares storm recovery update
Over 22,000 residents across the counties Carroll, Grayson, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe are likely able to claim the benefit, according to a recent USDA release announcing the special SNAP eligibility.
The United States Department of Agriculture makes D-SNAP benefits available in the aftermath of disasters to people who may not be eligible for SNAP in normal circumstances.
“USDA is committed to making sure that families, farmers and communities impacted by recent hurricanes get the support they need, including help with grocery expenses as people grapple with significant disruption to their lives,”Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in the release. “The Biden-Harris Administration, including USDA, will do everything in our power to help you respond, recover and rebuild – no matter how long it takes.”
Though current SNAP households aren’t eligible for D-SNAP, the USDA has approved Virginia to automatically issue supplemental SNAP benefits to current SNAP households in Carroll, Grayson, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, and Wythe Counties, the release stated. The release also outlined that SNAP households in Wise County may “request supplemental benefits from their state SNAP agency.”
Monday’s D-SNAP announcement follows previous federal assistance and state-level efforts in Virginia and other affected states. The U.S. Department of Transportation has already sent $10 million to Virginia to “restore and reopen” damaged parts of Route 58 near Washington County. Gov. Glenn Younkgin has also repeatedly encouraged affected Virginians to apply for federal aid funding as the state has set up disaster recovery centers.
Federal government sends Virginia $10 million for Route 58 repair after Hurricane Helene washout
In a letter obtained by Virginia Mercury, Youngkin has also requested $4.4 million in additional funding from the federal government. He sent a letter to President Joe Biden on Nov. 15 along with a copy to President-elect Donald Trump and leadership in the U.S. House and Senate appropriations committees.
“While this office continues to work collaboratively with our partners at all levels, the severity of these impacts highlights the significant need for accelerated federal support,” Youngkin wrote. “Given the urgent need for action, I respectfully request your administration’s assistance in prioritizing federal disaster supplemental funding to support Virginia’s recovery needs.”
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