Disaster SNAP benefits help to feed families impacted by flooding

In Ashland, a Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Disaster SNAP assistance site is helping flood victims apply for benefits to restock their food pantries.

The site located in Ashland is one of 17 available in the 9 designated counties approved for flood relief by the U.S. government.

The nine counties are: Butler/Cass/Colfax/Dodge/Nemaha/Sarpy/Saunders/Washington and Douglas county.

Until Thursday, April 4th, people who are struggling can come in and apply for benefits to restock their food pantries.

“It’s so important that they get the necessary food and nutrition that they need in their home so this is one step to help them rebuild after the flood,” said CFS director Matt Wallen.

There is a difference between SNAP and disaster SNAP. Child and Family Services director Matt Wallen wants the public to know who can and can’t utilize it.

“Disaster SNAP is really for people who are not on SNAP, but people who are suffering a hardship either through home damages based on the disaster or being out of work, lost wages between the time period of March 12th and April 11th.”

Over the past few days, Wallen says 500 people have come in to the disaster assistance locations throughout the state, and over $100,000 worth of benefits have been given out.

“It’s temporary and then once you have it loaded on your card, you have up to 360 days to use the benefits,” said Wallen.

In addition to food benefits, these assistance sites also offer other benefits such as help paying utility bills, medicaid and child care assistance.

“If people are suffering that hardship from going through the disaster and the flooding, we certainly want to be a resource for them, we’ve got a lot of different things to help them,” said Wallen.

The locations of the 17 assistance sites are:

Arlington Arlington Public School 705 N. 9th Street, Arlington
Ashland Community Resource Center 1324 Silver Street, Ashland
Bellevue First Baptist Church 112 E. 23rd Avenue, Bellevue
Bellwood Bellwood Fire Hall 752 41 Road, Bellwood
Blair Superfoods 208 N. 19th Street, Blair
Elkhorn Lord of Life Church 20844 Bonanza Boulevard, Elkhorn
Fort Calhoun Fort Calhoun Fire Hall 602 N. 14th Street, Fort Calhoun
Fremont* Fremont Public School Admin Bldg. 130 E 9th Street, east meeting room, Fremont
North Bend North Bend Public Library 110 E. 13th Street, North Bend
Omaha Douglas County Extension Office 8015 W. Center Road, Omaha
Omaha Millard Public Library 13214 Westwood Lane, Omaha
Peru Peru Community Church 520 Nebraska Street, Peru
Plattsmouth Plattsmouth Library Auditorium 401 Avenue A, Plattsmouth
Schuyler Presbyterian Church 802 A Street, Schuyler
Springfield Springfield Library Auditorium 665 Main Street, Springfield
Valley Valley City Building 921 S. Mayne Street, Valley
Waterloo Waterloo Public Library 23704 Cedar Drive, Waterloo

They are open Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 6 pm.