With the recent power outages, the Department of Human Services (DHS) would like to remind the individuals and families we serve that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients may seek and receive replacement SNAP benefits due to a loss of food caused by a disaster. Power outages of 4+ hours meet that criteria.
Households seeking to replace benefits must report the loss within 10 days. They then have an additional 10 days to submit their signed affidavit of loss; see the SNAP-55 form to report loss of food that can be found on the DHS Website SNAP Other Forms page (direct link listed below).
DHS typically gets a list from National Grid to confirm energy loss. Though this may happen, the verification of loss can be a landlord, neighbor, community agency staff member, etc. It does not need to be the power company. Our staff knows the SNAP-55 process and are ready to help those who need it.