Hurricane Victims Can Apply for Food Stamps

The state Department of Human Services has made food stamp benefits under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) avaiable to county residents who experienced extensive material losses from Hurrican Irene and subsequent floods.

Residents who are not currently SNAP recipients but who have disaster-related expenses beyond the loss of food due to power outages may also apply for food aid.

Victims must complete a two-page application. Vertification standards have been greatly relaxed. However, the household must have suffered a loss other than food to be eligible. These losses may include property or furniture damage, temporary shelter expenses, storage costs, or medical costs.

Individuals already receiving SNAP benefits may be eligible for a disater-supplement to their monthly benefit due to the loss of power for more than four hours.

The board will accept applications at the from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 13 in health room number two.

Residents may also apply at the Totowa Business Center, at the Passaic County Planning Department, 930 Riverview Drive, Suite 250 in Totowa from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9 or at the Pompton Lakes municpal building, 25 Lennox Ave. in Pompton Lakes from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 8, 9, 12 and 13.

Attendees should bring with them proof of income, address verification and any proof of expenses related to the hurricane.

For more information call the Social Services division of the Wayne Township Health Department at 973-694-1800, ext. 3281.