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The Planning Process

Members of the community who will be partners in implementing the D-SNAP should be identified and included in the planning process. This group should include social service providers, providers of emergency food assistance, police departments and members of county and municipal governments who may be able to provide additional staff or other resources to assist you in administering the D-SNAP.

It is further recommended that local agencies coordinate within the region to set the same parameters for the D-SNAP. This effort will result in less confusion for the public and will allow for the use of one media spokesperson for the region. VDSS will convene regional meetings or conference calls after a disaster to facilitate this process.

Planning should cover the activities that are outlined in this Planning Guide. Suggestions or edits related to this or other guidance should be submitted to the Division of Benefit Programs.

Decision to Implement a D-SNAP

The decision to implement a D-SNAP should be made by key decision makers in a jurisdiction. The D-SNAP should be implemented only in those cases where it is not practical to operate the regular program. Factors that may lead one to decide that a D-SNAP is the appropriate option include: • A large population of prospective applicants – If damage from the disaster is severe or widespread, affecting many households not already participating in the program, then this volume of applicants may not be able to be served through the existing application and eligibility determination process. Damage could include damage to individual residences, or loss of income due to closing of employment locations. • The disaster is such that many households would not have the verifications required by the regular program, (e.g., houses were leveled in a tornado.) • The affected population needs benefits more quickly than would be provided under the regular program, and they have used available income and resources that could have been used for food on disaster related expenses. • Availability of grocery stores – USDA will only approve the operation of a disaster program if food retailers are open for business in the community. Additionally, the point of sale (POS) devices that enable an EBT/credit/debit card transaction must be operational.

In making the decision to operate the program, there should be designations for:

• The contact person and back up contact for the D-SNAP. • A contact list including home and cell phone numbers of the key decision-makers including the Department Director, Board members, and other county officials. • Assignment of personnel to gather information and prepare the application to VDSS. • Identification of the information sources necessary to prepare an application. • Identification of the need for additional employees to have EPPIC Update 1 authorization to issue vault cards.

Appendix II 2 TRANSMITTAL #35