Beaufort County residents who are not currently receiving food and nutrition services benefits through the Beaufort County Department of Social Services may qualify for temporary assistance for a one-month period if they meet the following conditions:

• Their homes were damaged or destroyed;
• They have disaster-related expenses;
• They lost income;
• They had food loss as a result of a power loss of at least eight hours from Hurricane Irene.

Eligibility is based on available income and resources.

Those applying for disaster food and nutrition-services benefits will be asked to provide the following:

• Proof of their identity;
• Proof of residency, such as a utility bill;
• Social Security numbers, if available;
• Dates of birth for all members of their households.

Any applicant should apply in the county where he or she resides. Applicants will have five consecutive days to apply for assistance, beginning Thursday.

Households may use their benefits to purchase hot, prepared meals from retailers who are authorized to accept EBT benefits through Sept. 30.

Households that currently receive food and nutrition services benefits will automatically receive a replacement of a portion of their August 2011 benefits. These households do not need to apply for the disaster food and nutrition services program.