Family and Social Services Administration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 13, 2012

DISASTER FOOD STAMPS AVAILABLE IN SIX SOUTHERN INDIANA COUNTIES DECLARED AS FEDERAL DISASTER AREAS

(INDIANAPOLIS) – President Obama declared six southern Indiana counties as federal disaster areas due to damages caused by the severe storms and tornados from Feb. 29 through March 3. Residents living in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington Counties may qualify for federal disaster food stamp assistance if they lost food or are in need of food due to the severe storms and tornados.

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) received approval from USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to issue disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to qualified victims living in specific zip codes in Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington Counties. Disaster victims living in these designated zip codes who are not usually eligible for SNAP may temporarily qualify if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed, and they have un-reimbursed disaster-related expenses, OR if they have lost income, food or money as a result of the severe storms and tornados. Residents living in these specific zip codes may be eligible:

Clark, Jefferson, Ripley, Scott, Warrick and Washington Counties

Borden and Daisy Hill, 47106 (Clark County)
Henryville, 47126 (Clark County)
Otisco, 47163 (Clark County)
Marysville, 47141 (Clark County)
Memphis, 47143 (Clark County)
Nabb, 47147 (Clark and Scott Counties)
Chelsea and Lexington, 47138 (Jefferson and Scott Counties)

Osgood, 47037 (Ripley County)
Holton, 47023 (Ripley County)
Newburgh, 47630 (Warrick County)
Fredericksburg, 47120 (Washington County)
Pekin, 47165 (Washington County)

For disaster food stamps, federal regulations require applicants to provide:

• A driver's license or other picture ID including the address of residence at the time of the disaster
• OR two documents providing proof of identity and residency including: utility bills, tax bills, insurance policies, driver’s licenses
• OR other documents that establish the applicant’s home or work address

Disaster food stamps applications will be accepted Wednesday, March 14 – Monday, March 19, 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the One Stop Shop for Tornado Disaster Relief (OSS). The OSS is Indiana’s central resource center for disaster aid. It is located on the first floor of Ogle Hall, Ivy Tech campus in Sellersburg, near I-65 and Highway 311 (I-65 Exit 9), open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Disaster food stamps applications will also be accepted Wednesday, March 14 – Monday, March 19, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, at these FSSA Division of Family Resources (DFR) offices located in the federal disaster counties:

Clark County DFR
1021 Youngstown Shopping Center
Jeffersonville, IN 47130-4253

Jefferson County DFR
493 W. Hutchinson Lane, Suite A
Madison, IN 47250-7830

Ripley County DFR
888 S. Adams St
Versailles, IN 4704

Scott County DFR
1048 W. Community Way
Scottsburg, IN 47170-7768

Warrick County DFR
911 W. Main St
Boonville, IN 47601

Washington County DFR
711 Anson Street, Suite 101
Salem, IN 47167-2235

Families currently receiving SNAP benefit have until March 22 to apply for replacement of food lost as a result of the severe storms and tornados from February 29 through March 3. Those currently receiving SNAP benefits, and who are not at their maximum allotment, may be eligible for disaster benefits up to the maximum allotment.

Federal regulations require the state to conduct a post-disaster review of applications to determine correctness of eligibility for disaster benefits. If benefits are received fraudulently or in error, benefits will have to be repaid. Any recipient in violation of federal food stamp rules may be fined up to $250,000, imprisoned up to 20 years, or both, and may be subject to prosecution under other federal or state laws.

Additional FSSA disaster assistance information (unchanged from previous news releases)

• If a Hoosier Works EBT card has been lost as a result of the tornados and storms, a replacement card can be requested. Contact Hoosier Works EBT Customer Service TOLL FREE: 877.768.5098
• Families who need assistance with their Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) benefits should contact: River Valley Resources TOLL FREE 866.652.7027, or the Bureau of Child Care TOLL FREE: 877.511.1144 (press “3” when prompted)
• FSSA’s Mental Health Crisis Counseling Line is available TOLL FREE: 866.679.4631. This crisis line provides mental health and recovery counseling for those impacted by the severe storms and tornados.

General information about SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid and TANF (cash assistance) benefits is available TOLL FREE: 800.403.0864