for eMaxHealthThe Nebraska Health and Human Services System wants to remind people who use food stamps and lost food due to the power outages caused by the recent ice storm to report their food loss by January 31.
The Health and Human Services System requested, and received, approval for the replacement benefits from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). An extension was also approved to give families until January 31 to report the loss.
As of January 22, 329 households have requested and received replacement food stamps.
"The ice storm has been devastating for so many," said Mike Harris, administrator for the HHSS Office of Economic and Family Support. "We know that people who depend on food stamps to feed their families will be hit especially hard if their food is ruined."
People must report the loss of food purchased with EBT benefits to their local HHS office by January 31, 2007. They will need to complete and sign a statement that indicates food was lost due to power outages of 4 hours or more due to the storms that began on December 20. The replacement benefits will be 50% of the household's December food stamp benefit.
Power outages in the following 57 counties are recognized: Adams, Antelope, Blaine, Boone, Brown, Buffalo, Cedar, Chase, Cheyenne, Clay, Custer, Dawson, Dixon, Dundy, Fillmore, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Howard, Kearney, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Knox, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, Madison, Merrick, Morrill, Nance, Nuckolls, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Polk, Red Willow, Rock, Seward, Sherman, Stanton, Valley, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler and York.
The HHS local office will verify the power outage for people affected who live in other counties.
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