Eligibility

DSNAP is designed for situations where a large number of households have disaster related expenses not considered by the regular program where the need is so great that the vastly streamlined DSNAP certification process is warranted.

Before Connecticut can run a DSNAP program, the President must declare a major disaster for individual assistance in Connecticut. After a declaration is made the State may submit a waiver request for the affected identified counties. After the USDA – Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approves the waiver for a disaster food assistance program; the State will determine site locations and open the DSNAP sites. Households, who did not already receive benefits through the regular food assistance program (SNAP) for the disaster month, may complete a DSNAP application during the application period by going to the designated DSNAP site locations.  

If a DSNAP is run, individuals already receiving SNAP could have their benefits supplemented if they currently get benefits that are less than the monthly maximum amount for their household size and experienced losses from the disaster. This Supplemental SNAP benefit will increase the individual’s SNAP benefits to the full allotment for their household size automatically and they would not need to apply for DNSAP. Also, if a current SNAP recipient lives in a town affected by the disaster and they can show they lost food because of the disaster, they may be able to get Replacement SNAP benefits. It is not necessary to go to a DSNAP site to apply for Replacement SNAP benefits, these requests would be handled at the individual’s local office.

DSNAP timing varies with unique circumstances of each disaster, but always begins after commercial channels of food distribution have been restored and families are able to purchase and prepare food at home.

Connecticut is not running a DSNAP program at this time.