Food and Nutrition Service
HomeAbout FNSNewsroomHelpContact USEn Espanol

 

 

  

Search all USDA
Search Tips


Community Outreach
Data and Statistics
Financial Management
Forms
Food Safety
Grants
Nutrition Education
Regulations & Policy
Research
Services & Programs

 


You are here: Home > Newsroom > Fact Sheets
Newsroom
 

Food Assistance for Disaster Relief

[Printable version]

Description

The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) provides food assistance to those in areas affected by a disaster. This Federal assistance is in addition to that provided by State and local governments.
FNS provides emergency relief in three ways:
 

  • Distributes commodity foods to shelters and other mass feeding sites;

  • Distributes commodity food packages directly to households in need;

  • Authorizes State agencies to issue emergency food stamp benefits.

Background

FNS’ authority to provide emergency relief exists under the Food Stamp Act of 1977, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1987, and other authorizing legislation.

Emergency Food Assistance

Every State and U.S. territory stores commodity foods in warehouses for use in USDA sponsored food programs such as the National School Lunch Program and the Emergency Food Assistance Program.
Under the Federal Emergency Response Plan, FNS provides foods to disaster relief agencies to feed people at shelters and mass feeding sites. States can also, with FNS approval, release these foods to disaster relief agencies to distribute directly to households that are in need as a result of an emergency. Such direct distribution takes place when normal commercial food supply channels such as grocery stores have been disrupted, damaged or destroyed, or are unable to function.

Emergency Food Stamps

FNS can authorize the issuance of emergency food stamp benefits when the President declares a major disaster. States must request that FNS allow them to issue emergency benefits in areas affected by a disaster. FNS works closely with States to prepare plans for the Disaster Food Stamp Program.
People who might not ordinarily qualify for food stamp benefits may be eligible under the disaster food stamp program if they had expenses related to protecting, repairing, or evacuating their homes; or if they have lost income as a result of the disaster.
People who are already participating in the regular Food Stamp Program may be eligible for additional benefits under the disaster food stamp program.
Disaster benefits are provided like regular program benefits – through a debit card that can be used at authorized food retailers to buy food. These systems are commonly referred to as Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) systems.

Contact Information

For complete information, visit www.fns.usda.gov/disasters/disaster.htm  or http://disaster.fsa.usda.gov/fsa.asp. View specific State agency listings under “State emergency food assistance contacts.

 

Last modified: October 2007