TO:	Commissioners; TA & FS Directors; WMS Coordinators; CAP Coordinators

FROM:	Patricia A, Stevens, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Temporary Assistance

SUBJECT:	Emergency Food Replacement 

EFFECTIVE DATE:	Immediately

CCONTACT PERSON:	FS Questions - Eastern Regional Team (518) 473-1469
	TA Immediate Need Questions – Central Regional Team (518) 474-9344	

In anticipation of possible food loss due to the effects of Hurricane Isabel, this GIS message is being issued to:

•	Reinforce the temporary assistance and food stamp policies that local districts must have in place to deal with loss of food in emergencies, and
•	Provide local districts with the intranet link to the updated 8/03 version of the LDSS 2291: "Request For Replacement of Food Purchased with Food Stamp Benefits". This form must be used when there is a request for replacement of food purchased with food stamp benefits. 

Food Stamp Recipients: Food Stamp Source Book section 10 provides direction on replacement of food that was purchased with food stamp (FS) benefits (also see 91 ADM-41).  An issuance of FS benefits to replace food which was purchased with FS benefits but subsequently destroyed in a household misfortune must be made, provided that:

a.	The household reports the loss within 10 days of the date of the misfortune; and
b.	The household returns a signed and completed form LDSS-2291 “Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with Food Stamp Benefits (Rev 8/03)” within 10 days of the date of the report of loss.  If the 10th day falls on a weekend or holiday, a statement received the day after the weekend or holiday is timely received.

Examples of household misfortunes resulting in food loss include a fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, an extended power outage or an equipment (refrigerator or freezer) failure.  Such situations may affect large areas, or be specific to a household.  No limit is placed on the frequency of replacement issuances for food destroyed in a household misfortune.  To download the updated LDSS-2291 “Request for Replacement of Food Purchased with Food Stamp Benefits (Rev 8/03)” click on the following intranet link.  http://sdssnet5/otda/ldss_eforms/eforms/2291.pdf 

Temporary Assistance:	Local Districts can provide Emergency Temporary Assistance to those individuals and families whose food has spoiled due to the power outage, who are not eligible for Food Stamps and who are in an immediate need situation.  The amount is normally a prorated portion (for the number of days of need) of the non-shelter portion of the household's standard of need.  The household must meet all other eligibility factors as specified in the Temporary Assistance Source Book (chapter 10, section F for ESNA or chapter 11, section C for EAF.)   Local districts that anticipate mass requests for such assistance may use the DSS-880-"Register Of Application And Authorization For Emergency Assistance."