Disaster SNAP: A Critical Lifeline For Those Impacted by Natural Disasters

Lack of access to food is a major concern when natural disasters strike. This blogpost outlines how the Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) and other federal nutrition programs play a critical role in mitigating spikes in food insecurity during such challenging times. The discussion identifies how D-SNAP provides replacement benefits for SNAP households that lose food and extends benefits to many other households that would not ordinarily be eligible for SNAP. It also covers how SNAP waivers can be used to allow SNAP recipients to obtain replacement benefits, and identifies approaches to allow states to release commodity foods — used in the National School Lunch Program, The Emergency Food Assistance Program, and other federal programs — for mass feeding sites. Further, it notes how the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can play a crucial role in low-income communities with WIC food package and redemption flexibilities, benefit replacement, and simplified income eligibility.