The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a food assistance programme for people affected by the recent natural disasters in West Virginia, including severe storms, wind, flooding, landslides and mudslides. Under USDA’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme (D-SNAP), approximately 3,000 households in the disaster area will be eligible for this assistance to support grocery shopping.
People who are not normally eligible for assistance under SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme) will be able to apply for D-SNAP if they meet criteria such as income limits and disaster-related expenses determined after the disaster. This programme stands out as a support mechanism carried out by USDA in cooperation with the states after disasters.
USDA Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said, ‘USDA is committed to helping West Virginia residents struggling with the recent storms and their impacts. We are accelerating disaster relief programmes and working closely with our state and local partners to provide support to affected individuals as soon as possible.’
The state of West Virginia will conduct in-person D-SNAP applications between 17 March 2025 and 21 March 2025. Counties eligible for the programme include McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming. State officials will share detailed information about application dates and application centres through local media channels.
This step aims to help those living in disaster-affected areas meet their basic food needs. The D-SNAP programme stands out as an important support mechanism to maintain the living standards of the people, especially in difficult post-disaster conditions.