Gibson and Lauderdale counties to receive assistance for April 19 storms
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam announced today President Obama granted a request to provide federal Individual Assistance in two additional counties as part of the current disaster declaration in Tennessee for the record flooding of the Mississippi River, beginning on April 19, 2011.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Nutrition Assistance Available For All Eligible Residents In Those Counties
NASHVILLE – On Monday, May 23, the Tennessee Department of Human Services will begin issuing USDA-approved disaster SNAP benefits to eligible residents of four flood-damaged counties that are federally declared disaster areas after record rainfall caused the Mississippi River to overflow its banks. The benefits are for eligible residents of Dyer, Lake, Obion and Stewart counties. Applications for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) benefits can be submitted Monday through Friday, May 23-27; Tuesday, May 31, and Wednesday, June 1.
Assistance Available For Residents Who Sustained Flood-Related Loss Or Damage
NASHVILLE – On Monday, May 23, the Tennessee Department of Human Services will begin issuing USDA-approved disaster SNAP benefits to eligible residents of Shelby County, which has been deemed a federally declared disaster area after record rainfall caused the Mississippi River and smaller tributaries to overflow their banks. Applications for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) benefits, can be submitted at four designated Disaster Recovery Centers in the county from Monday through Friday, May 23-27; and again on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 31- June 1.
DHS Nutritional Assistance Program Available To Eligible Residents Of Bledsoe, Cocke, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe And Rhea Counties Starting May 13
NASHVILLE – On Friday, May 13, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) will begin issuing SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly food stamps) Disaster Benefits to eligible residents of six additional tornado-ravaged counties that have been federally declared disaster areas following the late April storms. The benefits are for residents of Bledsoe, Cocke, Johnson, McMinn, Monroe and Rhea counties. Applications for SNAP disaster benefits can be submitted daily (except Sunday) through May 20. (Benefits were approved previously for eligible residents of Bradley, Greene, Hamilton and Washington counties.)
USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Gene Davidson reminds crop and livestock producers throughout Tennessee who have recently experienced severe damage from tornadoes and flooding that there are FSA programs available to assist with recovery.
"The damage done by the recent severe weather has made things very difficult for many of our farmers and ranchers. The disaster assistance programs FSA has available may be an important first step for producers in the recovery process,” said Davidson.
