State offers food assistance to SNAP households affected by tornadoes

Includes power outages of more than 4 hours

Individuals must apply by Wednesday

[November 23, 2013]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Human Services has announced assistance for SNAP households affected by last weekend's deadly tornadoes. In light of the tornadoes that devastated 18 Illinois counties, the department will issue replacement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits for food that was destroyed in the disaster.

"Many families lost everything in the tornadoes, and we are pleased to be able to offer immediate food assistance to qualifying families," said IDHS Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler. "The SNAP program can help ensure that families have enough to eat while they rebuild their lives."

Active SNAP recipients who lost food due to the Nov. 17 disaster or experienced subsequent power outages lasting more than four hours have until 5 p.m. Wednesday to request replacement benefits. This applies to losses of food purchased with SNAP benefits.

Individuals requesting replacement SNAP benefits must visit their local IDHS Family and Community Resource Center. Office locations can be found at www.dhs.state.il.us or by calling the IDHS helpline at 800-843-6154.

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food for human consumption but cannot be used to buy alcoholic drinks, tobacco products or nonfood products.

Individuals committing fraud with SNAP will be disqualified from the program and may be fined up to $250,000, receive a prison term of up to 20 years or both.

[Text from Illinois Department of Human Rights file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, IDHS is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program.