New York – U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved $13 million in one-time disaster food aid benefits, also known as D-SNAP, to tens of thousands of storm-ravaged residents from the Rockaways, Coney Island, Red Hook, southeastern shore of Staten Island, and Lower Manhattan. Starting next Wednesday, December 12th through December 18th, the New York City Human Resources Administration will begin accepting applications for D-SNAP. The program, which targets an estimated 30,000 city households, aims to help those who normally would not receive SNAP benefits or food stamps, but are struggling to put food on the table due to disaster-related damage.
“So many of New York City’s residents were financially impacted by the storm and are now struggling to make ends meet,” said Senator Schumer. “I am relieved that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is providing this critical funding so that New Yorkers in need can put food on the table for their families. I will continue to fight tooth and nail for the disaster aid that New Yorkers need and deserve.”
“Tens of thousands of city residents suffered enormous damage from the storm and are struggling to rebuild their lives,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This emergency federal aid would help New Yorkers provide food for their families. I will continue the unified effort in Washington to fully fund New York’s needs for recovery and rebuilding.”
In-person applications will be accepted and processed in Brooklyn at 495 Clermont Avenue between 8:30 AM and 6:00 PM.
The 10 complete and two partial zip codes are listed below:
- The Coney Island (11224 and 11235) and Red Hook (11231) areas of the borough of Brooklyn
- The Far Rockaway area of the borough of Queens (11691, 11692, 11693, 11694, and 11697)
- The southeastern shore of the borough of Staten Island (10306)
- Lower Manhattan (10002)
- The two partial zip codes include residents south of Allen Avenue in Coney Island (11229), and the residents south of Seaview Avenue on Staten Island (10305).
Only households who resided in the 12 targeted areas on October 27th and suffered disaster-related damage, material losses, or loss of income damage or losses from Hurricane Sandy will be eligible to apply for D-SNAP.
The application period for the 12 targeted areas will begin on December 12th through December 18th. The New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance’s (OTDA) will determine applicant eligibility using household income, resources, and disaster-related expenses.