MONTGOMERY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved replacement food stamp benefits for Autauga and Elmore counties, Page Walley, Commissioner of the state Department of Human Resources, announced today.
Commissioner Walley stated that the replacement benefits are being provided to current food stamp households who received their regular September benefits on or before September 15. The benefits are being provided to some current recipients to replace food that was lost due to the power outage caused by Hurricane Ivan.
The addition of Autauga and Elmore brings to 24 the number of counties approved for replacement food stamp benefits, said Commissioner Walley. As with the earlier announced counties, the benefits were automatically posted to the recipients’ Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) account and are available now, he said. These recipients do NOT need to go the food stamp office to apply for the replacement benefits.
Counties announced earlier included: Dallas, Hale, Wilcox, Marengo, Montgomery, Lowndes, Choctaw, Sumter, Perry, Greene, Baldwin, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Escambia, Geneva, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Clarke.
In addition to the replacement benefits, the USDA approved a temporary waiver that permits recipients in these 24 counties to purchase hot foods with their food stamp benefits. The waiver will be in effect through October 31, 2004.