DHS Plans To Issue Disaster Food Stamp Benefits To Eligible Shelby County Flood Victims

Assistance Available For Residents Who Sustained Flood-Related Loss Or Damage

NASHVILLE – On Monday, May 23, the Tennessee Department of Human Services will begin issuing USDA-approved disaster SNAP benefits to eligible residents of Shelby County, which has been deemed a federally declared disaster area after record rainfall caused the Mississippi River and smaller tributaries to overflow their banks. Applications for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) benefits, can be submitted at four designated Disaster Recovery Centers in the county from Monday through Friday, May 23-27; and again on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 31- June 1.

Shelby County residents who sustained flood-related loss or damages, including those currently receiving SNAP (food stamp) assistance but wish to apply for SNAP disaster benefits, are asked to bring identification, address information, Social Security verification, statements of income or resources, and estimated disaster expenses to the nearest Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in their area. Staff on-site will make eligibility determinations, and benefits in the form of EBT (electronic benefit transfer) cards will be distributed the same day. The benefits represent up to a one-month allotment of food stamps for the appropriate household size, and can be used for up to 90 days at any authorized SNAP grocery retailer. 

Residents should visit their nearest DRC site, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (central time) to apply:

Shelby County (four locations)                                

• Hope Presbyterian Church, 8500 Walnut Grove Road, Cordova, TN 38018
• Shelby County Code Enforcement Office, 6465 Mullins Station Road, Memphis, TN 38134
• Cummings Street Missionary Baptist Church, 250 E. Raines Road, Memphis, TN 38109
• Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, 70 N. Bellevue, Memphis, TN 38104

For additional information, including a list of key questions and answers about the assistance program, please visit the DHS website at www.tn.gov/humanserv. 

# # #