Disaster SNAP benefits extended, Simpson Co. approved

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Simpson County has been approved for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits after historic flooding last month.

According to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Disaster SNAP benefits are approved for residents or those employed that were impacted in 14 Kentucky counties that have had significant losses due to flooding, mudslides and landslides.

These counties include Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Harlan, Johnson, Knott, Lee, Letcher, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Simpson.

Applications will be accepted from March 5 through March 12, excluding Sunday, March 9.

Residents receiving SNAP benefits can request and apply for a replacement of benefits due to power outages and other impacts.

Officials say any SNAP recipient can request replacement or supplement of benefits whenever food purchased with SNAP benefits is destroyed due to a household disaster.

In addition, those receiving SNAP benefits can purchase hot, prepared food at authorized retailers with their benefits until March 27.

Prospective applicants should call the Department for Community-Based Services’ call center for D-SNAP at 1-855-306-8959; officials say this is the fastest way to receive benefits. Applications will be taken by phone from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. Applications may be made at a DCBS office at these addresses below from Monday -Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST and Saturday 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. EST.

• Breathitt County: 355 Broadway Street, Jackson, KY
• Clay County: 25 Marcum Hill Road, Manchester, KY
• Estill County: 102 Mack Street, Irvine, KY
• Floyd County: 311 North Arnold Ave. Suite 501, Prestonsburg, KY
• Harlan: 103 S. 2nd St., Harlan, KY
• Johnson County: 205 Main Street, Suite 1, Paintsville, KY
• Knott County: 125 Cowtown Road HWY 550 West, Hindman, KY
• Lee County: 256 Main Street, Beattyville, KY
• Letcher County: 415 HWY 2034 Suite B, Whitesburg, KY
• Martin County: 104 East Main Street Suite 200, Inez, KY
• Owsley County: 33 HWY 11 South, Booneville, KY
• Perry County: 1332 South KY HWY 15, Hazard, KY
• Pike County: 295 Hambley Blvd., Pikeville, KY
• Pike County: Belfry Office: 25320 US Highway 119N, Belfry, KY
• Phelps Office: 36 Mingo Street, Phelps, KY
• Simpson County: 210 West Cedar Street,Franklin, KY

Residents and business owners who sustained losses in designated counties can apply for other types of assistance by registering online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY (1-800-462-7585, for deaf or hard-of-hearing). The toll-free numbers will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (local time) seven days a week until further notice.