Due to a July 16 storm and the resulting power outages in 24 upstate counties, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) has extended the normal timeframe for requesting replacement SNAP benefits through Wednesday, August 14.
SNAP recipients who experience an emergency that causes their food to spoil or be destroyed can receive a replacement benefit. The loss of food can be due to a situation such as a storm or a flood, which affects large areas, like the July 16 storm, or can be specific to a single household, such as a fire.
What Counties Are Affected
The severe weather event on July 16 caused storm damage and power outages, with many still without power. The following counties have been approved to extend the normal 10-day time frame for reporting food lost due to an emergency through Wednesday, August 14: Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Putnam, Steuben, Schuyler, Tioga, Tompkins, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Washington, and Warren.
How to Request Replacement Benefits Due to an Emergency
Those receiving SNAP benefits who have lost food due to power outages or flooding in the above listed counties can request replacement SNAP benefits. The following are different ways to report and submit the needed form requesting replacement of lost benefits:
- Fill out a replacement form (LDSS 2291 – Request for Replacement SNAP) and submit it to the local SNAP office by Wednesday, August 14. This can be done by mail or in person.
- SNAP recipients can call the SNAP office right away to report the loss and get a form. They will then have 10 days to return the form after reporting. Call 800-342-3009 to find your local SNAP office.
- Reach out to a local Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) Coordinator who can help SNAP recipients report the loss and submit the form to the local SNAP office. They can also help obtain the form in other languages.
NOEP Coordinators are community partners who can help with questions about SNAP. It is free and confidential. To find a local NOEP Coordinator, visit FoodHelpNY.org.
Important Notes:
- Replacement benefits should be provided within two business days of returning a signed and completed Form 2291.
- The amount of the replacement benefit cannot be higher than the household’s usual monthly allotment.
- The amount of replacement benefits provided depends on each household’s food loss.
- Replacement benefits are also impacted by the time of month that the misfortune occurs. The later in the month the misfortune occurs, the lower the replacement amount will be. This is because a family would be eating the food they bought with their SNAP benefits throughout the month.
More information can be found on our Replacement Benefits page.
