Appendix D D-SNAP Example Press Release

2.2 Sample Press Releases
DHS ANNOUNCES DISASTER FOOD ASSISTANCE (SNAP) RELIEF FOR BENTON, CLAY,
FAULKNER, GARLAND, LINCOLN, PULASKI, RANDOLPH, AND SALINE COUNTIES

LITTLE ROCK - The Department of Human Services has announced counties eligible to
receive SNAP Disaster Assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and

Emergency Assistance Act. The Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service,

has approved the following counties for the Disaster SNAP (DSNAP) as a result of the
April 23rd severe storms and tornados: Benton, Clay, Faulkner, Garland, Lincoln,

Pulaski, Randolph, and Saline Counties. Any household that resided within one of the

designated counties at the time of the April 23rd severe storms and tornados and
suffered disaster losses may be eligible to receive temporary DSNAP assistance.

DSNAP benefits are provided via an electronic debit-like card and can be used to
purchase food items at grocery stores and other authorized retailers.

Residents in any of the designated counties may be eligible if the household

experienced at least one of the following conditions as a direct result of the April 23rd,
2011 storms and tornados:
•
•

Damage to or destruction of the home or self-employment business.

Loss or inaccessibility of income including a reduction or termination of income
or a significant delay in receiving income due to disaster related problems.

•

Disaster-related expenses (home or business repairs, temporary shelter,

evacuation, etc) that are not expected to be reimbursed during the disaster
benefit period.

Please note that residents seeking assistance may apply beginning Tuesday, May 10,
2011 through Wednesday, May 18th 2011 for the Disaster SNAP. To apply, please
contact your local DHS office.

Households applying for Disaster SNAP must actually have lived in the disaster area at
the time of the storms and must have suffered loss or damages.
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DISASTER SNAP PROGRAM BENEFITS AVAILABLE FOR RECENT FLOOD VICTIMS

Affected residents in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin, Jackson, Lawrence, Massac,
Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, White and Williamson counties may be eligible

CHICAGO – Residents who lived or worked in Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hardin,
Jackson, Lawrence, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, White and
Williamson counties between April 19 and May 18, 2011 may be eligible for disaster
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, known in Illinois as LINK.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Illinois Department of Human Services
(IDHS) have approved disaster SNAP benefits for flood-affected residents of these
counties.
Residents of affected counties who would not be eligible under the regular SNAP rules
may qualify temporarily if their business, home or belongings were damaged or
destroyed and they have un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses, or if they have a
loss or reduction of income as a result of the flooding. Also, residents who currently
receive SNAP may be eligible for additional benefits.
Flood victims may apply for disaster SNAP benefits at the following IDHS Family
Community Resource Centers (FCRC) locations beginning Friday, June 24 through
Thursday, June 30, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day:
Alexander
1401 Washington Ave

Pulaski
.

422 S. Blanche St.

Cairo, IL 62914-1810

Mounds, IL 62964-1108

Phone: (618) 734-0762

Phone: (618) 745-9411

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 383-2345

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 740-3951

Franklin

Randolph

1602 N. Main St.

870 Lehmenn Dr.

Benton, IL 62812-1900

Chester, IL 62233-0307

Phone: (618) 439-4351

Phone: (618) 826-4559

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 324-4802

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 876-7176

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Jackson

Saline/Gallatin

342 North St.

320 E. Raymond St.

Murphysboro, IL 62966-2295

Harrisburg, IL 62946-2120

Phone: (618) 687-1705

Phone: (618) 253-7161

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 325-5149

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 847-6174

Lawrence

White

RR 1, Box 418

1112 Oak St.

Lawrenceville, IL 62439-9796

Carmi, IL 62821-1344

Phone: (618) 943-2334

Phone: (618) 382-4685

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 326-0247

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 740-3928

Massac

Williamson

2301 Metropolis St.

1107 W. DeYoung Suite 20

Metropolis, IL 62960-1399

Marion, IL 62959-4403

Phone: (618) 524-2631

Phone: (618) 997-6591

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 326-9638

TTY/Nextalk: (866) 740-3927

Perry

Pope/Hardin

120 S. Town Shopping Center

106 N. Market St., PO Box 130

DuQuoin, IL 62832

Golconda, IL 62938-0130

Phone: (618) 542-2901

Phone: (618) 683-2921
TTY/Nextalk: (866) 383-1866

The local IDHS offices will determine eligibility for victims based on available income,
minus unreimbursed disaster-related expenses. All resources except cash on hand and
bank accounts will be excluded from the eligibility determination. A qualifying twoperson family with net monthly income of less than $1,815 would receive $367, and a
one-person household with net monthly income of less than $1,503 would receive
$200. Most benefits will be available within three days of the date of application.

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Individuals receiving regular SNAP benefits that were affected by the disaster may also
apply for this special program. They may qualify for additional SNAP benefits to bring
their benefit level up to the maximum benefit amount for the month of the disaster.
Starting Friday, flood victims in Massac County currently receiving SNAP benefits may
apply for disaster SNAP benefits online at www.dhs.state.il.us. Applicants should click
on the Disaster SNAP link then on the Currently Receive SNAP – Massac County Only
link. Users should then follow the directions on the Active SNAP Clients in Massac
County - Online Request for Disaster SNAP Benefits Web page to file their request for
additional benefits.
Applicants must bring photo proof of identity and should bring a driver's license or
other picture ID. Applicants also must bring a document that verifies their home
address or job in the disaster area prior to the disaster.
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food for human consumption, but cannot be
used to buy alcoholic beverages, tobacco or non-food items. Benefits must be used
within 90 days. Persons who purposely provide wrong information on a SNAP
application may be denied benefits and legal action may be taken.

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