By By LYDIA GRIMES Feature Reporter
The Escambia County Department of Human Resources (DHR) has been notified that Escambia County has been designated a disaster county by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This means that those who have not been eligible in the past to receive food stamps may now be eligible for some help.
Food stamps are normally issued from the fourth to the 18th of each month. Those who received them on or before Sept. 15 had already received their allotted amount when Hurricane Ivan struck. Those who receive food stamps after the 15th will be reimbursed 25 percent of their August stamps. Those persons were to be notified by mail by Oct. 1.
Carolyn M. White, director of Escambia County DHR, and Melinda Robinson, supervisor of the food stamp program in Escambia County, received word on Friday, Oct. 1, that confirmation had been received from the state that there will be help for those who do not normally receive food stamps.
Eligibility for food stamps is on a household basis. If a household does not have much money to spend for food, these additional food stamps could be the answer. They can be used like cash to purchase food, and this temporary program is meant to help those who have been affected by the hurricane. Income, liquid resources and expenses will be considered for the time period between Sept. 14 and Oct. 13 for the purpose of this program.
An applicant must fill out an application, be interviewed by a worker and show proof of identity and where they live. Examples of proof are a driver's license, wage stub or a birth certificate. An example of proof of where you live can be as simple as an envelope with your name and address. No one can receive the special food stamps unless their home was in the disaster area, they will be buying and preparing meals and answer yes to at least one of the following questions:
You cannot get disaster food stamps if your only loss is food due to a power outage.
The program will begin in Escambia County on Monday, Oct. 4, and continue through Friday, Oct. 8, from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. In the Brewton area, those who wish to apply should go to First Presbyterian Church at 336 Belleville Avenue. In the Atmore area, go to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians' Wellness and Activity Center, located just past Arrowhead Park, Poarch Community, 444 Lynn McGhee Drive. Those whose last name begins with letters A through G should apply on Monday; those whose last name begins with letters H through L should apply on Tuesday; those whose last name begins with letters M through R should apply on Wednesday; those whose last name begins with letters S through Z should apply on Thursday and all applicants who missed their day should apply on Friday. These scheduled interviews by alphabet of last name will be strongly enforced.