Family Support Division

Disaster Food Assistance

What will happen

DSS and USDA will make food assistance available to persons who have had significant property damage and/or income loss.
Individuals who lived in or worked in Joplin in zip codes 64801, 64802, 64803 and 64804 and have damage to their home or their income is reduced or interrupted because of the disaster may apply.
Disaster Food Stamp Applications will be taken at Mills Anderson Justice Center on the Missouri Southern State University campus.
- Applications will be taken each day (including Saturday and Sunday) from Tuesday May 31st through Thursday June 9, 2011 from 7:00 AM through 7:00 PM.

Individuals whose current monthly income plus available cash assets minus their disaster related standard expense is less than Disaster Gross Income Limit will qualify.
- Disaster Gross Income Limit is:
  - $1,503 for a family of 1
  - $1,815 for a family of 2
  - $2,126 for a family of 3
  - $2,449 for a family of 4
  - $2,787 for a family of 5
Disaster benefits are not for people who are already receiving Food Stamps.
- Current participants will receive a supplemental benefit which along with regular benefit will equal the amount of disaster benefit.
- Current Food Stamp participants whose food was destroyed can have their current benefits replaced.

Eligible families will receive 1 month’s maximum food stamp allotment, which varies with the size of the familly.
- $200 for a family of 1
- $367 for a family of 2
- $526 for a family of 3
- $668 for a family of 4
- $793 for a family of 5
If a household is eligible they will receive an EBT card within 3 days of application where application was made.
- The EBT card can only be used at participating retailers to purchase approved food products.
- The EBT card cannot be used at ATMs and the benefit cannot be withdrawn as cash.
- The EBT card is Personal Identification Number (PIN) protected.
- Facilities will be available to assist with selecting PINs

5/31/11