TAMPA, Fla., (WFLA) – This week, D-SNAP is holding an event to help people struggling this holiday season due to this year’s hurricanes.
The event is being held outside Raymond James Stadium to help residents apply for the D-SNAP Program.
Residents were lined up Tuesday at 5 a.m. to receive assistance in applying for the program.
Those 8 On Your Side spoke with said how badly this is needed, especially during the holidays.
“I’m very glad that it is definitely an option being able to get some food, especially for the holidays coming up. It’s definitely going to be a huge help, I’m one of those people who work from home, so being without power for so long I also lost wages and couldn’t work,” Shannon Williams said.
Shannon Williams’s story is one we have been hearing a lot since Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The Disaster Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program provides food assistance to individuals and families that need it and can help people like Williams.
“Being this time of the year, it’s supposed to be festive and happy and celebrating with family and friends,” Williams said. “Glad that family made it, and no one was hurt or anything like that, but those things are still in the back of your mind, like how am I going to get Christmas gifts this year? How am I going to do the things we normally do for the holidays that we may not be able to do this year.”
Officials said they want people to pre-register online before showing up. They also want to remind people to bring proof of identity.
If you have already pre-registered and been approved over a phone interview, you will receive your EBT Card in the mail.
For those showing up in person, if approved, you will walk out with your Card.
“We know a lot of individuals and families are still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and D-SNAP is one of the many recovery responses that we’re providing,” said Bridget Royster, with DCF.
In order to qualify:
- You cannot be using SNAP
- You must be living in the approved county at the time of the storm
- Meet eligibility requirements
- Have disaster-related loss
“So, that could be lost food, loss of income due to the storm, or other disaster-related expenses you incurred to prepare for the storm,” Royster said.
The amount you receive is based on how many people are in your home.
Williams said she takes care of her family, including her sick mother, and any amount will help.
“We are definitely trying to make it through, you know, it has definitely been difficult. I have a sick mom, she’s paralyzed on one side, so definitely been trying to help her with her medications and just, it was very hard, especially being without power for so long,” she said.
The D-SNAP site will be operating at Raymond James Tuesday through Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you would like to pre-register, click here.