Lewis County residents who had losses or expenses from the July 21 storms and flooding have until 6 p.m. Friday, September 25, to seek disaster food assistance. A West Virginia Department of Human Services update confirms the deadline and application process. The Lewis County Family Resource Network also shared the update.
DoHS said it has provided assistance to 86 households representing 348 people in Lewis, Upshur, Ritchie and Pleasants counties. That includes 25 households representing 60 people who were not receiving SNAP when the disaster occurred and received Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. Another 61 households representing 288 people were already receiving SNAP and received disaster supplements. D-SNAP provides one month of food benefits to eligible households with disaster-related losses or expenses.
Applications are being accepted from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the West Virginia Department of Transportation Division of Highways office, 131 Highland Drive in Weston. Other application sites are the DoHS offices at 34 Auction Lane in Buckhannon, 220 West Main Street in Harrisville and 1655 South Pleasants Highway in St. Mary’s.
People who were not receiving SNAP must complete an in-person interview. SNAP recipients requesting a disaster supplement do not need an interview and may submit the form in person or by email. Applicants should bring a photo ID; documentation of residence or employment in an eligible county at the time of the storm; proof of income received during the 30 days before applying; proof of assets, such as checking or savings statements; and documentation of disaster-related expenses when applicable.
DoHS said the vast majority of applications and supplement requests are processed the day they are submitted, and eligible households may receive benefits within one day of applying. For questions, call the DoHS Office of Constituent Services Customer Service Hotline at 1-877-716-1212. More information is available at bfa.wv.gov.