Q1: What is D-SNAP?
A1:
D-SNAP provides temporary food assistance for households aected by a natural disaster.
D-SNAP provides benets to households impacted by a disaster. To be eligible for D-SNAP, a
household must live in the dened disaster area, have been aected by the disaster, and meet
certain D-SNAP eligibility criteria.
Q2: What areas are included in D-SNAP?
A2:
Residents impacted by the disaster that live in the eligible areas may be eligible to apply for
D-SNAP. For more information about D-SNAP, visit the Iowa Department of Health and Human
Service (Iowa HHS) website: hhs.iowa.gov.
Q3: Why do some counties have D-SNAP and some do not?
A3:
Only counties that receive a Presidential Individual Assistance declaration can operate D-SNAP.
The state must request and receive approval from USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) to
operate a D-SNAP for those counties.
Q4: How can I apply for D-SNAP?
A4:
You can apply for D-SNAP if you live in one of the eligible areas. Visit the Iowa HHS website
(hhs.iowa.gov) for the in-person application sites and application phone number. You only need
to apply either in-person or by phone, not both.
Q5: I receive regular SNAP benefits. Can I apply for D-SNAP?
A5:
Yes, if you lived or worked in the eligible counties and were negatively aected by the disaster,
you can apply for D-SNAP benets. You need to complete the SNAP Recipient Request for
Disaster form.
Q6: What information do I need to provide to apply for D-SNAP?
A6:
You will need the following information:
y Identication for the head of household is required
y Address at the time of the disaster
y Income you received or expect to be received for each household member from the impacted area
y Money that you had available for each household member (cash or money in checking and/or
savings)
y Disaster related expenses paid out of pocket
Q7: Do I need to have a driver’s license or social security number (SSN) to
apply for D-SNAP?
A7:
One adult in the household must provide proof of identity. There isn’t a requirement for specic
documents that must be used. You do not need to have a social security number to apply for
D-SNAP benets.
Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
D-SNAP FAQ
Q8: What is a disaster-related expenses?
A8:
A disaster-related expense is anything you had to pay for out of pocket or expect to pay out of
pocket because of the disaster. If you were paid back for an expense you paid out of pocket
during the approved time frame, you can’t use that as a disaster- related expense for D-SNAP
purposes. A few examples of disaster-related expenses include:
y Repairing damage to your home or self-employment business
y Items you used to clean up your home and property
y Replacing personal or household items lost due to the disaster
y Storage expenses
y Propane or gas you need when the electricity goes out
y Tools needed to repair your home and/or property
y Medical expenses due to the disaster
y Boarding a pet
y Recurring expenses such as mortgage, rent, car payments etc. do not count as disaster
related expenses.
Q9: What is the D-SNAP income limit?
A9:
Household Size Income Limit
1 $2,085
2 $2,514
3 $2,942
4 $3,380
5 $3,845
6 $4,308
7 $4,736
8 $5,165
Q10: How is “household” defined under D-SNAP?
A10:
D-SNAP household members are people who were living together and purchasing and
preparing food together at the time of a disaster. D-SNAP households do not include people
who are temporarily staying together due to the disaster.
Q11: How many months of D-SNAP will eligible households get?
A11:
Eligible households will get one month’s worth of D-SNAP equal to the maximum allotment for
their household size.
D-SNAP FAQ
Q12: How long does it take my household to get their D-SNAP benefits if its
approved?
A12:
If approved, your household may receive their benet card the same day. Households who
apply over the phone have the option of picking up their card at a designated site or receiving it
by priority mail.
Q13: How does my household use our D-SNAP benefits to get groceries?
A13:
D-SNAP benets are provided to eligible households through Electronic Benet Transfer (EBT)
cards. Your household’s D-SNAP allotment is posted to the EBT cardholder’s D-SNAP account.
Households can use their EBT card to purchase groceries at participating stores and farmers
markets in the same way you use a debit card.
Q14: How long do I have to use my D-SNAP benefits?
A14:
D-SNAP benets need to be used within nine months from when you receive the card.
Q15: What can I purchase with D-SNAP benefits?
A15:
Any food like
y Fruits and vegetables
y Meat, poultry, and sh
y Dairy products
y Breads and cereals
y Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages
Q16: Can I buy hot food with the D-SNAP card?
A16:
Prepared hot foods can be purchased if the D-SNAP Program is approved to provide this
benet.
Q17: What if I don’t have transportation to the D-SNAP site
A17:
If you are not able to apply in-person, you can apply by phone.
Q18: I don’t speak English. How can I apply
A18:
If you speak Spanish, Spanish-speaking workers are available at the D-SNAP sites and you
can apply by phone. Translation services for other language are available for both on site and
by phone.
For additional information about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) visit
https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/food-assistance/snap or apply for SNAP and other benets
online at https://hhsservices.iowa.gov/apspssp/ssp.portal.
