Recipients from across the state whose food was spoiled because of power outages have until Feb. 17 to apply for replacement benefits at their local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) family support offices, part of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
DCBS Commissioner Patricia R. Wilson said that the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, which oversees and funds the food stamp program, agreed to Kentucky's prompt request to extend the application period.
"With several hundreds of families still without power, and many only recently having power restored, we wanted to be sure every food stamp recipient who lost groceries and needs replacement benefits has the chance to apply," she said.
The original deadline for filing a replacement benefits application was 10 days after the date of the incident.
Replacements are provided in the amount of the loss to the household, up to the household's full monthly allotment.
Recipients must sign a statement that they lost food during a power outage and are requesting replacement funds. They also need some form of verification, such as a statement from a neighbor, verifying that they lost electricity. Elderly and clients with disabilities may contact their food stamp workers by phone to have an affidavit sent to them to sign and return.
Requests will be processed as they are received.
In another effort to assist recipients, DCBS immediately released all of the February food stamp benefits to recipients on Feb. 2, rather than staggering the release dates as usual.
The funds were loaded onto recipients' electronic benefits cards for use at any retailer that accepts food stamp benefits.
"We're working hard to help families who were disrupted by the storm recover and restock their pantries," she said.
Here are instructions for clients of county offices that have been closed because of power outages.
Crittenden and Livingston county clients: Staff can accept paper applications in the offices' lobbies. Or call the Muhlenberg County DCBS office at (270) 338-2330.
Lyon County clients: Call the Muhlenberg County DCBS office at (270) 338-2330.
Recipients can also visit any nearby family support office.
Customers can find the address of their local DCBS family support offices online at .
More information about food stamp eligibility is online at chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/foodstampsebt.htm.
