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699 Chapter 3:Processes and procedures • Section 4: Individual loss and restoration of benefits (07/2026) Replacement of Food purchased with SNAP benefits due to a disaster or household misfortune SNAP benefits may be replaced when the food purchased with SNAP benefits has been spoiled or destroyed in a disaster or household misfortune (e.g., due to fire, flood, or loss of electricity). Power being shut off by the power company due to non-payment does not qualify as a disaster or household misfortune under this policy. Once it has been determined food was spoiled or destroyed due to a declared disaster or household misfortune, the replacement should be issued using the guidance in the SNAP Replacement QRG. The following requirements apply to a household that reports a loss and asks for a replacement: • The food lost must have been purchased with SNAP benefits. • The filing group must report the loss within 10 days of the occurrence, either orally or in writing. • The filing group must submit a signed statement attesting to the loss. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Benefits Due to a Disaster affidavit(ODHS 0349D) can be submitted attesting to the loss. • The disaster or misfortune should be verified. Verification that the misfortune exists can be proof the filing group resides in a power outage area, the national disaster area, flood area, etc. If the spoilage occurred due to a misfortune such as loss of power to the filing group’s residence only, the verification may include statements from repair persons or the local utility company. • If the household has not supplied proof of the misfortune when requesting the replacement, ODHS should send a Request for Information (ONE-001) or a Notice of Information or Verification Needed (ODHS 0210A) or verify with a call to a collateral contact. • The signed statement and verification must be received by ODHS within 10 days of the date the misfortune occurred, or within 10 days of the timely report of the misfortune to the agency, whichever date is later. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday and the statement is received the first workday after the weekend or holiday, ODHS will consider the statement received on time. • After determining the cause of the spoiled or destroyed food, ODHS should ask the filing group where the food was located when it was spoiled or destroyed (e.g., cupboard, refrigerator, freezer). Staff should determine if the amount of food spoiled or destroyed is a reasonable amount based on the situation. • Anytime an Eligibility Worker feels there is something questionable or information is missing that is necessary to determine if the replacement is possible, the worker should have a conversation with the individual requesting the replacement. • ODHS may replace up to the full SNAP allotment for the month, depending on the circumstances that lead to the spoiled or destroyed food. The replacement is only for the value of the food purchased with SNAP benefits and lost due to the household misfortune. The replacement cannot exceed a one-month SNAP allotment at the time of the loss for the filing group.
The replacement should be issued no later than the 10th day following the date the misfortune was reported to the agency or within two days of receiving the items needed to process the request, whichever is later.
It is important for staff to case note the situation and decisions in detail to show this is a replacement and not a duplicate issuance. It is important to include the date of the actual disaster or misfortune, the date the misfortune occurred, and the date the incident was reported to ODHS.
If the replacement is denied, a denial notice should be issued.