Tree downed due to storm damage, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)
LINCOLN — In the wake of dangerous storms that surged through Nebraska last week and thousands of residents without power, replacement benefits are available for any spoiled food purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) funds.
Replacement benefits may be issued if your food purchased with SNAP or Summer EBT spoiled due to a power outage. Refrigerated food may be replaced if power has been out for 4 or more hours, while frozen food may be replaced if power has been out for 24 or more hours.
To request replacement funds, call the ACCESSNebraska Economic Assistance Hotline toll-free at 1-800-383-4278 to report the food loss within 10 days of the power outage being restored. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) will complete and mail you a replacement request form and verify the power outage. The form must be signed and returned to DHHS within 10 days of the report. If the 10th day falls on a weekend or a holiday, and the statement is received the day after the weekend or holiday, then the request will still be considered received timely. If approved, replacement funds will be issued to your current SNAP or Summer EBT card.
Additionally, the replacement request form can be filled out by visiting a local DHHS office within 10 days of the outage. A list of offices can be found at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Public-Assistance-Offices.aspx.
Disaster SNAP funds are not possible at this time, as a federal emergency declaration is required.
For more information on SNAP, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/SNAP.aspx. More information on Summer EBT can be found at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Summer-EBT.aspx.
