AUGUSTA — The Maine Department of Health and Human Services has announced that Maine people who lost food purchased through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a result of the Dec. 18 storm now have until Thursday, Jan. 18 to apply for benefits to replace that food.

SNAP recipients originally had 10 days from when the food was lost or from when power is restored to apply. Maine DHHS requested and received approval within 24 hours for the extension from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which oversees the SNAP program, to give Maine people who are still recovering from the impacts of the storm more time to apply, according to a news release from Jackie Farwell with DHHS.

How to apply for SNAP benefits to replace lost food:

• SNAP recipients who lost food purchased with SNAP benefits because of a power outage, flooding, or other misfortune related to the storm may be able to receive benefits to replace that food.

• Losses must be reported to DHHS by Jan. 18.

SNAP recipients should fill out a form at maine.gov/dhhs and email it to farmington.dhhs@maine.gov. Paper forms are also available at local DHHS offices.

The replacement benefit amount is the lesser of the total value of the food purchased with SNAP that was lost, or one month’s benefit.

General Assistance is another resource that Maine people can access to address immediate needs related to the storm. In an emergency, GA administrators in municipalities may presume individuals are eligible prior to full verification if the applicant reports an emergency that requires immediate assistance, and the administrator can reasonably presume, after an initial interview, that the applicant will be eligible for assistance upon full verification. Loss of food or other impacts related to the Dec. 18 storm may be considered as a qualifying emergency.

People can apply for GA in their city or town offices. If anyone is unable to reach their local GA administrator or has questions, they can call 800-442-6003.

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