Ocracoke and mainland residents will have one more opportunity on Saturday to apply to receive USDA’s Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) food benefits stemming from Hurricane Florence.
Island residents can visit DSS workers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Community Center.
On Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., mainland residents can visit Hyde County DSS at 35015 US Hwy 264, Engelhard, and the O.A. Peay School, 1430 Main St., Swan Quarter.
Eligible households will receive a one-time benefit on a special debit card (called an EBT card) to help buy food. The exact amount will depend on household size, but a family of one would receive $192, a family of four would receive $640 and larger families would receive more.
To be eligible, a person must:
– Live in one of 27 counties: Bladen, Beaufort, Brunswick, Carteret, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Duplin, Harnett, Hoke, Hyde, Johnston, Jones, Lee, Lenoir, Moore, New Hanover, Onslow, Pamlico, Pender, Pitt, Richmond, Robeson, Sampson, Scotland, Wayne and Wilson.
– Have suffered losses/damages related to Hurricane Florence, such as damage to property, loss of income or food loss.
– Have proof of identity and proof of residency (if available).
– Have income and resources below certain levels.
– Not currently be receiving help buying food through the Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) program. People receiving FNS can also get extra help buying food, but do not need to fill out a D-SNAP application.
Residents who want to apply for help buying food related to Hurricane Florence can only do so at one of the designated sites.
The State Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging people to complete their application ahead of time and bring it with them by downloading the form in English here or in Spanish here.
People who may have a disability or are physically unable to go in-person to apply for help can complete this form and send an authorized representative in their place.
Applications from all Hyde residents also are being accepted in the Hyde County DSS building at 35015 US Hwy 264 in Engelhard through Saturday, Oct. 6.
County officials will do everything they can to process applications as quickly as possible.
For more information please contact Hyde County DSS at 252-926-4476.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service on Sept. 25 authorized mass replacements for residents in certain counties, including Hyde, that suffered food losses resulting from power outages and flooding caused by the storm.
A FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will open Friday at noon in the O.A Peay School, 1430 Main Street, Swan Quarter.
The DRC will be open daily, during daylight hours, moving forward to offer residents assistance. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance teams are continuing to canvass areas in the county to offer assistance to residents. FEMA personnel will have identification showing who they are.
Hyde County will continue to issue updates on any changes about the recovery efforts in the county.
