Some Iowans may be eligible for food assistance after deadly tornadoes in April and May.
Two Presidential Disaster Declarations were issued following the EF3 tornado that struck Minden on April 26 and the EF4 tornado that devastated Greenfield on May 21. The declarations allowed the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to provide Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits to Iowans in certain zip codes affected by the tornadoes and storms that struck Iowa on April 26-27 and May 20-21.
Here's what you need to know:
What zip codes are eligible for D-SNAP food assistance?
Zip codes eligible for assistance due to the April 26-27 storm: 50213, 50327, 50801, 50863, 50854, 51503, 51526, 51527, 51537, 51542, 51548, 51553, 51557, 51561, 51564, 51570, 51578
Zip codes affected by the May 20-21 storm: 50007, 50046, 50201, 50849, 50864
Are there any other requirements?
If you live in one of the affected zip codes and have incurred one or more of the following disaster-related expenses, you may be eligible for D-SNAP benefits:
Loss of income or inability to access income due to the disaster (including reduction, termination, or delay of income); Repairs to your home or self-employed business (including supplies paid for out of pocket and not reimbursed during the 30-day period); Temporary shelter costs.
Are there any restrictions on applicants?
Yes. A household's net income cannot exceed the amounts listed below for 30 days after the storm, depending on the size of the household.
Household Size Income Limit1$2,0852$2,5143$2,9424$3,3805$3,8456$4,3087$4,7368$5,165Provided by Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
How do I apply for D-SNAP assistance?
If you are applying for D-SNAP assistance, there are a few things you will need to have ready.
Applicants must show proof of identity and may also need to provide proof of residence in a storm-affected area, income and disaster-related expenses.
If you live in an eligible zip code area and follow the guidelines above, you may apply for D-SNAP benefits and can apply in person at the following locations:
417 E. Kanesville Boulevard, Council Bluffs, Iowa
51503, 51526, 51527, 51537, 51542, 51548, 51553, 51557, 51561, 51564, 51570, 51578 (Storm on April 26-27) 50864 (Storm on May 20-21)
201 N. Elm St., Creston, Iowa
50213, 50801, 50854, 50863 (Storm on April 26-27) 50849 (Storm on May 20-21)
2309 Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa
50327 (Storm on April 26-27) 50007, 50046, 50201 (Storm on May 20-21)
All stores will be open from Tuesday 25th June until Saturday 29th June.
Tuesday, June 25th, 9:00am to 4:30pm Wednesday, June 26th, 9:00am to 4:30pm Thursday, June 27th, 9:00am to 5:30pm Friday, June 28th, 9:00am to 4:30pm Saturday, June 29th, 8:00am to 11:00am
Applicants may also apply by calling 515-420-6048 during the same hours listed above.
How can I access D-SNAP assistance once I'm accepted?
People who are eligible for D-SNAP benefits receive food payments on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card equal to their maximum allotted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit amount based on the number of people in their household.
D-SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food at SNAP-certified retailers, including farmers markets and certain online retailers.
For a complete list of certified retailers, see the USDA SNAP Retailer Locator. Stores in Iowa include gas stations, Hy-Vee, and Dollar General.
Kyle Werner is a reporter for the Register. He can be reached at kwerner@dmreg.com.
