Monday, July 26, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Asks USDA to Waive 10 Day Rule for Food Stamp Replacement
JEFFERSON CITY– Gov. Matt Blunt requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) waive their ten day rule to file for replacement Food Stamps. Thousands of households participating in the Food Stamp program in St. Louis and the surrounding area recently lost food purchased with food stamps as a result of power outages. In a letter to the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, the governor asked that the time to request replacement Food Stamp benefits be extended until August 18th, giving families receiving Food Stamp benefits a full four weeks to report the loss and request replacement.
“These storms have wreaked havoc on our citizens in numerous ways. The loss of food, particularly for low income Missourians, is a serious problem. I am calling on the USDA to extend the window of opportunity for Food Stamp recipients to report their loss,” Blunt said. “I have requested an extension to allow Missourians additional time to call or come in to their local Family Support office to request the replacement.”
The Food Stamps Program is funded by the USDA and administered by the Missouri Department of Social Services’ Family Support Division. While Family Support Division offices were hard hit by the storms, the division was able to continue operations throughout the emergency at 50 percent of their locations and diverted staff from offices without power to those that remained operational. As of yesterday, all Family Support Division offices were open. Individuals that lost food purchased with Food Stamp benefits may call or come in to have their benefits replaced up to a maximum amount. The regulations call for this to be done within ten days; Blunt has asked for additional time.
“I want to thank our workers in the Family Support Division for the amazing job they are doing to serve others, in spite of being affected by this storm themselves. They have come in early, stayed open late and worked hand in hand with community partners to assist their community. I am very proud of the job they are doing,” said Gary Sherman, director of Social Services. Sherman added that employees in many other parts of the state are assisting with the efforts in St. Louis and other affected areas. “We are also working with the Departments of Mental Health and Health and Senior Services to distribute forms to their homebound clients that receive Food Stamps.”
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. However, food has been made available through many public feeding sites in the St. Louis area which can be accessed by anyone affected by the storm.
The Family Support Division has already replaced Food Stamp benefits for more than 9,000 households. It is estimated that up to 15,000 Food Stamp households may have been affected by the storm. Since Friday the division has assisted approximately 60 percent of these households to replace their benefits.
Families affected by the storm who have questions about their food stamp benefits should contact the local Family Support Division office.
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