Through the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is able to quickly offer short-term food assistance benefits to families suffering in the wake of a disaster.

Eligible households receive one month of benefits, equivalent to the maximum amount of benefits normally issued to a SNAP household of their size. Benefits are issued via an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase food at most grocery stores.

Through D-SNAP, affected households use a simplified application. D-SNAP benefits are issued to eligible applicants within 72 hours. Households not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP as a result of their disaster related expenses, such as loss of income, damage to property, relocation expenses, and, in some cases, loss of food due to power outages.

When States operate a D-SNAP, ongoing SNAP clients can also receive disaster food assistance. Households with disaster losses whose SNAP benefits are less than the monthly maximum can request a supplement. The supplement brings their benefits up to the maximum for the household size. This provides equity between D-SNAP households and SNAP households receiving disaster assistance.

Click here for a Frequently Asked Questions document about Hurricane Florence’s D-SNAP Program

Applications will be accepted at the following sites in Hyde County:

Hyde County DSS (Daily until Saturday, Oct. 6)

35015 US Hwy 264

Engelhard, NC 27824

The Engelhard site will be accepting applications from Friday, Sept. 28, through Saturday, Oct. 6. Hours for the sites are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

OA Peay School (Saturday, Oct. 6 only)

1430 Main St

Swan Quarter, NC 27885

The O.A. Peay School site will be accepting applications on Saturday, Oct. 6. Hours for the site are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ocracoke Community Center (Saturday, Oct. 6 only)

999 Irvin Garrish Hwy

Ocracoke, NC 27960

The Ocracoke Community Center site will be accepting applications on Saturday, Oct. 6. Hours for the site are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hyde County D-SNAP registration will cease at the close of business on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018.

Any residents that can not travel to the Engelhard DSS site can visit the O.A. Peay School site on Saturday, Oct. 6 or contact the county at 252-926-4178 and we will assist you in making travel arrangements to the Engelhard site.

The State Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging people to complete their application ahead of time.

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.

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.