Kentucky Disaster Nutrition Assistance

Incident: Hurricane Helene

When: Sept. 27, 2024

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Oct. 18, 2024, FNS approved the Kentucky Division of Family Support (DFS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of SNAP benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 27, 2024. The waiver approval applies to Anderson, Bath, Boyd, Bracken, Estill, Green, Greenup, Lee, Leslie, Lewis, Menifee, Owsley, Powell, Robertson and Rowan counties.
• On Oct. 3, 2024, FNS approved the Kentucky DFS request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits lost as a result of power outages, due to Hurricane Helene, beginning on Sept. 27, 2024. The waiver is applicable statewide and in effect through Oct. 28, 2024.

Incident: Storms and Tornadoes

When: May 26, 2024

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On June 3, 2024, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS), request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to storms and tornadoes that began on May 26, 2024. The waiver applies to all counties in the state of Kentucky and is in effect through June 25, 2024.

Incident: Tornado and Storms

When: April 2, 2024

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On April 11, 2024, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to a tornado and storms that began on April 2, 2024. The waiver applies to all counties in the state of Kentucky and is in effect through May 3, 2024.

Incident: Tornado

When: March 14, 2024

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On March 22, 2024, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to a tornado that occurred on March 14, 2024. The waiver applies to Carroll, Gallatin and Trimble counties. The waiver is in effect through April 15, 2024.

Past Responses

2023

Incident: Severe Storms

When: June 25, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On July 3, 2023, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to severe storms that began on June 25, 2023. The waiver request applies to all residents in the State of Kentucky and is in effect through July 26, 2023.

 

Incident: Severe Storms

When: March 31, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On April 5, 2023, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Division of Family Support (DFS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages due to tornadoes and straight-line winds from thunderstorms that occurred March 31, 2023 - April 1, 2023. The waiver request applies to households statewide. The waiver is in effect through April 21, 2023.

 

Incident: Severe Storms

When: March 3, 2023

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On March 16, 2023, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services Division of Family Support (DFS) request to issue mass replacements to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits as stated in the approval due to power outages as a result of the severe storms that began on March 3, 2023. The wavier applies to 31 counties: Allen, Anderson, Butler, Clinton, Edmonson, Grant, Grayson, Hancock, Harrison, Hart, Lee, Lincoln, Logan, Marion, Marshall, McCreary, Meade, Monroe, Muhlenberg, Nelson, Robertson, Russell, Simpson, Spencer, Todd, Trigg, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Wolfe and Woodford.
• On March 10, 2023, FNS approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Division of Family Support (DFS) request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that were lost as a result of prolonged power outages due to heavy rain, hail and strong winds that began on March 3, 2023. The waiver applies to households statewide. The waiver will be in effect through March 23, 2023.

2022

Incident: Severe Flooding

When: July 26, 2022

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Sept. 28, 2022, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to extend the expiration date to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The initial waiver approved on Aug. 3, 2022, includes the counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe. The wavier was amended on Aug. 8, 2022, to add the counties of Lawrence, McCreary, Morgan, and Whitley. The waiver was amended again on Aug. 31, 2022, to extend the expiration date to Oct. 2, 2022. This amended waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Nov. 1, 2022, in order to increase access to food after the flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022.
• On Aug. 31, 2022, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to extend the expiration date to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The initial waiver approved on Aug. 3, 2022, includes the counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe. The wavier was amended on Aug. 8, 2022, to add the counties of Lawrence, McCreary, Morgan, and Whitley. This amended waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Oct. 2, 2022, in order to increase access to food after the flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Aug. 30, 2022, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to extend the expiration date of the 10-day reporting requirement waiver for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022. The initial waiver approved Aug. 3, 2022, included the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Wolfe. The waiver was previously amended on Aug. 8, 2022, to include Whitley County. The waiver was also amended on Aug. 22, 2022, to extend the expiration date to Aug. 31, 2022. The amended wavier is in effect through Sept. 2, 2022.
• On Aug. 30, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to extend the expiration date of the Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) operation waiver in 12 counties in response to the impact of the severe storms causing mudslides, landslides, and extreme flooding that began on July 26, 2022. Due to these incidents, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with Federal individual assistance for 5 counties on July 30, 2022. The declaration was amended on Aug. 3-5, 2022, to include an additional 7 counties for a total of 12 counties - Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley. The initial waiver allowed the State to operate the D-SNAP Aug. 24, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2022. The amended waiver extends D-SNAP operations through Sept. 2, 2022.
• On Aug. 22, 2022, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to amend the 10-day reporting requirement waiver for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022. The initial waiver approved Aug. 3, 2022 included the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe. The waiver was previously amended on Aug. 8, 2022 to include Whitley County. This amended waiver is in effect through Aug. 31, 2022.
• On Aug. 19, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky’s request to operate Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) in 12 counties in response to the impact of the severe storms causing mudslides, landslides, and extreme flooding that began on July 26, 2022. Due to these incidents, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with federal individual assistance for 5 counties on July 30, 2022. The declaration was amended on Aug. 3-5, 2022, to include an additional 7 counties for a total of 12 counties - Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Whitley. They plan to operate the D-SNAP Aug. 24, 2022, through Aug. 31, 2022.
• On Aug. 19, 2022, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to issue mass replacements of SNAP benefits to impacted households. This waiver approval allows households to receive replacement of benefits, as stated in the approval, in the counties of Breathitt, Knott, Letcher, Martin, and Perry as a result of power outages, severe storms, catastrophic flooding, landslides, and mudslides that began on July 26, 2022.
• On Aug. 8, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky’s amended request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2 to add the counties of Lawrence, McCreary, Morgan, and Whitley. The waiver applies to the counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, McCreary, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Wolfe and Whitley. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Sept. 2, 2022, in order to increase access to food after the flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Aug. 8, 2022 FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to amend the 10-day reporting requirement waiver for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022. The waiver amendment adds Whitley County. The initial waiver approved Aug. 3, 2022 included the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe. The waiver is in effect through Aug. 25, 2022.
• On Aug. 3, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky’s request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the counties of Bell, Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Harlan, Jackson, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe. This waiver approval will allow SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Sept. 2, 2022.
• On Aug. 3, 2022, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services’ request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of flooding, mudslides, landslides, and power outages that began on July 26, 2022. The waiver applies to the counties of Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike, and Wolfe. The waiver is in effect through Aug. 25, 2022.

 

Incident: Kentucky January Severe Storms

When: Jan. 1, 2022

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

On Jan. 5, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky Department for Community Based Services request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages, heavy rain, hail and strong winds that began on Jan. 1, 2022. The waiver applies to counties of Adair, Barren, Boyd, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Christian, Clay, Floyd, Graves, Green, Hart, Hopkins, Jackson, Knott, Lee, Logan, Madison, Marion, Marshall, Mason, Metcalfe, Monroe, Nicholas, Owsley, Pike, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Simpson, Taylor and Warren. The waiver will be in effect through Jan. 31, 2022.

2021

Incident: Kentucky Tornadoes

When: Dec. 10, 2021

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

• On Jan. 12, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky's modification and extension request to operate D-SNAP in 2 counties in response to the impact of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes that began on Dec. 10, 2021. On Dec. 12, 2021, and in subsequent amendments, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with authorization for Federal individual assistance. FNS approves Kentucky's request to operate in the following 2 counties: Barren and Marion.
• On Dec. 30, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's request to operate D-SNAP in 14 counties in response to the impact of the severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding and tornadoes that began on Dec. 10, 2021. On Dec. 12, 2021, and in subsequent amendments, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with authorization for federal individual assistance. FNS approves Kentucky's request to operate in the following 14 counties: Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor and Warren.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Feb. 9, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky's extension request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the counties of Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Casey, Christian, Crittenden, Edmondson, Fulton, Graves, Green, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Larue, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McClean, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Webster. This extension waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through March 19, 2022. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved counties of the hot foods extension waiver approval.
• On Jan. 15, 2022, FNS approved Kentucky's extension request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The waiver applies to the counties of Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Casey, Christian, Crittenden, Edmondson, Fulton, Graves, Green, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Larue, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McClean, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Webster. This extension waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Feb. 17, 2022. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved counties of the hot foods extension waiver approval.
• On Dec. 23, 2021, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services' request to issue automatic mass replacements of SNAP benefits to impacted households. This waiver approval will allow households to receive replacement benefits in the Counties of Hickman and Warren and the Cities of Dawson Springs, Pembroke, Mayfield and Auburn to replace food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost due to power outages, severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes that began on Dec. 10, 2021.
• On Dec. 22, 2021, FNS approved the Kentucky Department for Community Based Services' amended request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages, tornados, straight-line winds and flooding that began on Dec. 10, 2021. This approval adds to the counties previously approved on Dec. 17, 2021. The amended waiver applies to counties of Barren, Breckinridge, Bullitt, Butler, Calloway, Christian, Edmonson, Grayson, Green, Hardin, Hart, Hickman, Larue, Logan, Lyon, Marion, McLean, Meade, Nelson, Ohio, Shelby, Spencer, Todd and Trigg. The waiver will be in effect through Jan. 10, 2022.
• On Dec. 21, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's amended request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2. The amended waiver applies to the counties of Hardin, Metcalfe, Daviess and Hancock, adding to the 33 counties approved previously. This amended waiver approval will allow SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Jan. 17, 2022. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved counties of the hot foods waiver approval. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.
• On Dec. 17, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky Department for Community Based Services request to waive the 10-day reporting requirement for replacement of food purchased with SNAP benefits that was lost as a result of power outages, tornados, straight-line winds and flooding that began on Dec. 10, 2021. The waiver applies to counties of Caldwell, Fulton, Graves, Hopkins, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Taylor and Warren. The waiver is in effect through Jan. 10, 2022.
• On Dec. 16, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's request to waive the statutory definition of "food" under Section 3(k)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended, and companion regulations at 7 CFR 271.2 as a result of power outages, tornados, straight-line winds and flooding that began on Dec. 10, 2021. The waiver applies to the counties of Adair, Allen, Barren, Butler, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Casey, Christian, Crittenden, Edmondson, Fulton, Graves, Green, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Larue, Livingston, Logan, Lyon, Marion, Marshall, McClean, McCracken, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Simpson, Taylor, Todd, Trigg, Warren and Webster. This waiver approval allows SNAP households to purchase hot foods with SNAP benefits through Jan. 17, 2022. FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the approved counties of the hot foods waiver approval. Retailers may need as much as 24-36 hours to make changes that will allow for sale of hot foods.

 

Incident: Kentucky Storms

When: Feb. 26, 2021

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP)

• On June 17, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's request to expand D-SNAP operations to 22 additional counties in response to the impact of heavy rains which caused flooding, landslides and mudslides between Feb. 26 and March 15, 2021. President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration and subsequent amendments designating these areas as eligible for federal individual assistance. With this expansion, the state agency has been approved to operate D-SNAP for the flooding in 31 counties.
• On June 11, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's request to extend D-SNAP operations for two additional days, June 15 and June 16.
• On June 4, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's request to operate D-SNAP in 9 counties in response to the impact of heavy rains which caused flooding, landslides and mudslides between Feb. 26 and March 15, 2021. On April 23, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration with authorization for federal individual assistance for the following counties: Breathitt, Clay, Estill, Floyd, Johnson, Lee, Magoffin, Martin and Powell.

 

Incident: Severe Winter Storm and Power Outages

When: Feb. 15, 2021

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• On Feb. 26, 2021, FNS approved Kentucky's request to waive timely reporting of food loss for households in 19 counties as a result of a severe winter storm and power outages that began on Feb. 15, 2021. This waiver allows affected households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through March 8, 2021.

2020

Incident: Storms

When: April 12, 2020

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

• FNS has approved the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) request to waive timely reporting of food loss as a result of severe weather and power outages that began on April 12, 2020. The waiver allows affected households to make a request for replacement of SNAP benefits through May 4, 2020.