Release No. 0270.02

Alisa Harrison (202) 720-4623
Diana Callaway (415) 705-1311

USDA TO ISSUE EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS IN ARIZONA COUNTIES

WASHINGTON, July 2, 2002 –Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman today announced the approval of emergency food stamp assistance for wildfire victims in Arizona. Apache and Navajo counties and one Indian reservation have been declared eligible for federal disaster assistance by President Bush. Eligible towns include Aripine, Clay Springs, Fools Hollow, Heber, Hon Dah, McNary, Lakeside, Linden, Overgaard, Pinedale, Pinedale Estates, Pinetop, Shady Ranch, Show Low and Timberland Acres.

“Arizona is enduring the worst forest fires in years which have impacted communities and displaced many families from their homes,” said Veneman. “These emergency food stamps will provide additional assistance to help these families who have suffered losses due to the fires.”

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Disaster Food Stamp Program issues food stamps to eligible participants affected by severe winter storms, forest fires, tornadoes and flooding disasters.

Affected residents can begin applying for disaster food stamps on Monday, July 1 through July 7 at eight evacuation centers established across the state in the towns of Eager, Glendale, Globe, Holbrook, Mesa, Payson, St. John’s and Winslow. The sites will be open from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Those applying for help should bring a driver’s license or other picture ID in order to prove identity and residency.

Residents who are not ordinarily eligible for food stamps may qualify temporarily if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and they have disaster related expenses or if they have lost income, food or money as a result of the wildfires. Eligibility is based on available income less disaster-related expenses. For a family of four, a full monthly allotment is $452.

Residents in the affected areas who are already participating in the food stamp program will automatically have their food allotment replaced electronically and a supplement allotment will be issued in July to bring the household’s benefit up to the maximum disaster food stamp allotment for the household size. They will not need to file an additional application for disaster food stamps.

Disaster food stamp program participants will be issued electronic Arizona QUEST debit cards, which will be credited with the disaster food stamp allotment within 24 hours. Participants with questions should call 1-800-352-8401.

USDA’s Disaster Food Programs offer nutrition assistance during emergencies by providing commodity foods for shelters and other mass meal sites, distributing commodity food packages directly to households in need and issuing food stamps to eligible applicants directly affected by the disaster. The Food Stamp Act of 1977 and the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 give the Secretary of Agriculture authority to provide nutritional assistance during emergencies.

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