Monday, December 11, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Announces Benefit Extension for Missouri Families Hit by Storm
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) waived the 10-day rule to file for replacement Food Stamps. The waiver allows program participants affected by the recent winter weather to request Food Stamp benefits to replace lost food until December 22nd.
“The recent winter storm has put enormous strain on many families, particularly low-income families in the St. Louis region,” Blunt said. “I am pleased the USDA has opted to allow the Family Support Division to administer Food Stamp replacements past the normal timeframe.”
The Food Stamp program is funded by the USDA and administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS). Individuals who lost food purchased with Food Stamps may call or visit their local office to have their benefits replaced. The DSS has already replaced Food Stamp benefits for more than 16,143 people. Families affected by the storm who have questions about their food stamp benefits should contact their local DSS, Family Support Division office.
Under Blunt’s direction, DSS requested the waiver.
“It's important that we are able to provide additional time to our families in the St. Louis region to apply for replacement Food Stamps as many of them were without power for an extended period of time," said Deborah Scott, DSS Director. “Our local Family Support offices are seeing a significant amount of people each day requesting replacement Food Stamps. We want to ensure all recipients are given adequate time to request replacements.”
The Food Stamp program has income guidelines; families may qualify if their net income does not exceed 100 percent of the federal poverty level, or $20,000 for a family of four. In order to have Food Stamp benefits replaced or to be approved for the program, families must meet the income guidelines.
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