Disaster Food Benefits Offered Friday through Oct. 6
Brunswick County has been declared a disaster county by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. These declarations authorize the Department of Social Services to administer the Disaster Food and Nutrition benefits program.
This program is designed to authorize food stamp benefits for eligible households that are not currently receiving food and nutrition benefits and have experienced a loss as a result of Hurricane Florence. Residents may qualify for assistance for a one-month period if their home was damaged or destroyed or they have disaster related expenses, or they lost income or had food loss because of a power outage or household flooding resulting from Hurricane Florence. Eligibility is based on available income and resources.
Residents currently receiving food stamp benefits, including those requesting replacement benefits, are not eligible for this disaster program.
Applications for Disaster Food and Nutrition benefits will be taken at Odell Williamson Auditorium on Brunswick Community College Campus at 150 College Road, Bolivia beginning Friday, Sept. 28, through Saturday, Sept. 29, and Monday, Oct. 1, through Saturday, Oct. 6. Hours will be from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturdays. No applications will be taken on Sunday.
Individuals applying for benefits will be asked to provide the following information:
- Identity
- Residency
- Date of birth for all household members included on application
- Social Security Numbers for all household members included on application
- Income made or anticipated to be made between September 7th – October 6th for all household members
- All storm related expenses such as: cost to protect property during the disaster, cost to repair or replace items/ property, food loss due to disaster, temporary shelter expenses and moving and storage cost due to the disaster, etc
Because long lines and wait times are possible, individuals are encouraged to bring medications and other necessary items. Due to limited space, individuals are encouraged to limit the number of people accompanying them and to consider arranging child care if possible. Residents should come prepared for inclement weather while waiting outdoors as no outdoor shelter is available for those waiting in line.
No food vendors will be allowed in the parking lots at application locations. In addition, no donations will be accepted or distributed at application locations.