Emergency Food Stamps available for victims of flooding
Residents in 9 counties may qualify for assistance
Comet staff report

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) announced Tuesday that they have received approval from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue emergency food stamps to residents of Carroll, Cass, Elkhart, Fulton, Jasper, Marshall, Pulaski, Tippecanoe and White counties that suffered major losses in the January flooding. The Disaster Food Stamp Program (DFSP) may apply to all residents affected by the disaster, including people not currently receiving State assistance.

"The emergency measures allow our local Division of Family Resources offices to determine eligibility for victims based on available income, minus shelter and disaster related expenses," said Zach Main, director of the Division of Family Resources."All resources except cash on hand and bank accounts will be excluded from the eligibility determination."

County residents who are not usually eligible for food stamps may temporarily qualify for DFSP if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed, if they have un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses or if they have lost income, food or money as a result of the flooding. Families will have five days to apply beginning Feb. 6, 2008. The benefit period extends from Jan. 7 through Feb. 6, 2008. When applying, applicants should bring a state driver's license or other form of identification, such as work or school ID, birth certificate, wage stub and a document that verifies their home address. Applicants may be asked for their Social Security Number as well. Please note, persons who purposely provide wrong information on a food stamp application may be denied food stamps and legal action may be taken. For further details on eligibility or to submit your application, contact your local county Office of Family Resources, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Local Family Resource offices, where victims may apply for DFSP include:

Carroll County OFR, 6931 W 300 North, Suite B, Delphi, (800) 403-0864

Cass County OFR, 300 East Broadway, Logansport, (800) 403-0864

Tippecanoe County OFR, 111 North 4th Street, Lafayette, (765) 742-0400

White County OFR, 816 Fisher Street, Monticello, (800) 403-0864

For more information on FSSA, go to: www.in.gov/fssa.