SNAP benefits are essential when it comes to helping those who need it the most buy healthy food. It could be due to the current economic situation that many families need help to be able to buy pricy but necessary food. Perhaps, others might have lost their job or have been forced to close down their business. Regardless of their personal circumstances, SNAP, the former food stamps, might come in handy.
This Federal program to help low-income families or individuals is the most important one in the USA. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program –SNAP– allows them to be able to afford a balanced diet. Otherwise, it would affect their health and would imply more medical costs for them.
What do replacement SNAP benefits mean?
Not every SNAP beneficiary receives the same amount of credit on their Electronic Benefits Transfer card or EBT card. Besides, the SNAP office could replace the amount each one gets. Remember you need to recertify your SNAP benefits after the concession period ends. However, replacement SNAP benefits are for those cases in which you have lost all the food you bought with SNAP credit because of floods, wildfires, etc.
More often than not, those who suffer a 24-hour power outage and all their SNAP food is gone off may also receive a replacement. It will be the Department of Children and Family Services -DCFS- the one in charge to check your eligibility. Bear in mind that each state may have its own DCFS. For instance, this is the DCFS in Louisiana.
What is the replacement benefit amount?
The amount of credit for your replacement SNAP benefit will be the same as the value of the food loss you bought with your EBT card. Do not forget that the maximum amount of money you may get back on your EBT card will be as much as one month of your SNAP benefit. Not everyone will be eligible since the DCFS will determine whether this is true or not.
Once they check everything is true, they will add the corresponding amount to your Electronic Benefits Tranfer card. The DCFS will provide citizens with the necessary information to apply after the damage is assessed.