Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 15^th, 2024
Hurricane Helene Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

SHELBY, N.C.– Beginning October 18^th, people living in 25 western NC counties and members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply to receive a one-time benefit to help buy food through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP).

To be eligible, applicants must:

Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Helene, such as damage to property or loss of income
Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available)
Not currently receiving benefits through Food and Nutrition Services (FNS).
Certain income and resource limits may apply.

Apply for Benefits
Beginning Oct. 18 - 24, 2024, eligible households may apply for D-SNAP online, by phone or in person.

To apply online, visit the online ePASS Pre-Registration Tool, which will open on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and close on Thursday, Oct. 24. Once the pre-registration is completed, applicants will be issued a confirmation number and will need to call 1-844-453-1117 between Oct. 18 and Oct. 24 to complete the interview part of the application.

To apply by phone, call the D-SNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-117 from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. The D-SNAP call center will be open at the following hours:

Weekdays (Friday, Oct. 18; Monday, Oct. 21; Tuesday, Oct. 22; Wednesday, Oct. 23; and Thursday, Oct. 24) from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19, and Sunday, Oct. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon.
Residents are encouraged to apply for D-SNAP by phone on their assigned day by last name but will not be turned away if they apply at any time during the application period:

10/18: A-G
10/19: H-M
10/20: N-S
10/21: T-Z
10/22: Open to all
10/23: Open to all
10/24: Open to all

Residents may apply in person at the Cleveland County Schools Bus Garage, located at 300 Kemper Rd. Shelby from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. on weekdays and weekends from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Please bring a valid form of I.D. with you.

While people are encouraged to apply in their county of residence, they can also apply in person at any of the counties approved to implement D-SNAP. NCDHHS will post information on the locations and hours of the sites in each county at www.ncdhhs.gov/dsnap.

Eligible households will receive a one-time benefit on a special debit card (called an Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT card) to help buy food, good for up to nine months. The exact amount will depend on household size, income, and disaster losses. While there are income eligibility standards, a number of considerations are taken into account. Individuals above these limits may still be eligible depending on disaster expenses, so we encourage everyone who needs support to purchase food to begin their application by calling the DSNAP Virtual Call Center at 1-844-453-1117.

Please know there may be long wait times. County officials will do everything they can to process applications as quickly as possible. People who may have a disability or are physically unable to go in person to apply for help can complete this form in English or Spanish and send an authorized representative in their place.

For information regarding Hurricane Helene and additional resources and flexibilities in place, please go to www.ncdps.gov/Helene and www.ncdhhs.gov/helene.