Page 573

SNAP CERTIFICATION MANUAL – SECTION 17000 1B17200 Determination of a Disaster 6B17110 Disaster Plan

17200 Determination of a Disaster

SNAP Manual 09/01/06 DHS may make application to FNS for authorization to implement temporary food assistance when a storm, fire, flood, or other catastrophe has disrupted normal commercial channels of food distribution and affected so many households that the regular SNAP cannot respond to their temporary food needs. Commercial channels of food distribution must be restored prior to implementation of a DSNAP. If the disaster has caused one or more of the following conditions, the condition will be considered a disruption of the normal commercial channels. 1. There is limited access to retail food outlets because of damage to roads, bridges, or mass transit within the area 2. Retail and wholesale food outlets are closed for a significant period. 3. Delivery of supplies to food outlets has been significantly hampered. 4. The normal operating hours of food outlets have been significantly shortened restricting normal opportunities to purchase food supplies. 5. A power failure has significantly restricted the operation of food outlets. Commercial channels of food distribution will be considered restored when conditions have improved to the extent that households have reasonable access to food outlets. A Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) may be considered if: 1. Damage is so severe or widespread that regular application procedures would be too cumbersome. 2. Affected populations need benefit of less strict Snap eligibility criteria and/or access to benefits more quickly than the regular SNAP can provide. 3. The nature of the disaster is such that many households will not have the verification requested by the regular SNAP rules. 4. The number of waivers required to adequately address disaster victim’s needs would be confusing and administratively difficult to implement. Meeting disaster victim’s needs through the regular SNAP, with waivers, may be considered if: 1. The affected population is small. 2. The affected population is mostly the same population that is already eligible to receive SNAP benefits. 3. The disaster effects appear to be short term