As part of the federal response to disasters, emergencies, or pandemic, FNS plays a vital role by responding to nutrition assistance needs. Through our state/territory and local partners, FNS works to ensure that children and low-income Americans maintain access to food. The consumer resources listed below are provided to help individuals and families like yours during this time of exceptional need and uncertainty.
Are you looking for food for yourself or your family after a disaster?
- Please call your state or local 211.
- FEMA's individual disaster assistance provides immediate and other resources during disaster recovery.
- For additional information about FNS programs operating in your state, please contact your state agency.
- For information about disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) options, contact your state SNAP agency.
- Tips for handling food following a disaster.
- Disaster Nutrition Assistance Timeline
- Equity in FNS Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programs is a plan for assisting the most vulnerable.
The USDA National Hunger Clearinghouse helps low-income people with food assistance. If you need help finding local food resources such as meal sites, food banks, and other social services, call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (Spanish) to speak with a representative. You can also text to the automated service at 914-342-7744. with a question that may contain a keyword such as “food,” “meals,” etc., to receive an automated response to local resources.
What is D-SNAP?
FNS may authorize D-SNAP when the President declares a major disaster with individual assistance under the Stafford Act. States must request approval from FNS to issue D-SNAP benefits in areas affected by a disaster.
People who might not ordinarily qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp Program) may be eligible for D-SNAP if they had disaster related expenses, such as loss of income, damage to property, relocation expenses, and in some cases, loss of food due to power outages. D-SNAP benefits are provided through an electronic benefit transfer card that can be used at authorized food retailers to buy food.
People who are already participating in the regular SNAP may be eligible for additional benefits under the D-SNAP.
Program Factsheets
Are you Prepared for a Disaster?
Check-out the following resources to help you improve your disaster preparedness: