As part of the state's response to Hurricane Katrina, current food stamp recipients in the six counties included in the federal disaster declaration received their September benefits early, state Department of Human Resources Commissioner Page Walley announced today. "September food stamp benefits are now available to all current recipients in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Choctaw, Sumter and Washington counties," Commissioner Walley said.
"Food stamp benefits are normally issued on a staggered schedule between the 4th and the 18th of each month. As part of the state’s hurricane relief efforts, we accelerated the issuance of food stamp benefits to current recipients in these six counties," Commissioner Walley explained.
He noted that the food stamp families in the affected counties did not have to do anything to receive their benefits early. "The benefits have already been posted to their Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) accounts and are now available," Commissioner Walley said.
All states operate the food stamp program according to regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).