TO:	Local Social Services Commissioners, Food Stamp Directors, TA Directors, HEAP Coordinators, Staff Development Coordinators

FROM:	Deputy Commissioner Russell Sykes, Division of Employment and Transitional Supports, OTDA

SUBJECT:	 Extension of the Disaster Food Stamp Benefit Program

EFFECTIVE DATE:  Immediately

CONTACT PERSON:	Food Stamp Policy Questions 518-473-1469; WMS Systems Questions 518-473-7991.

The purpose of this GIS is to notify the local district social services in the twelve counties approved for the Disaster Food Stamp Benefit Program (DFSBP) about the following:

•	OTDA has received permission from the federal government to continue operating the DFSBP through Friday, July 21, 2006 in all twelve districts ;

•	As we have for the past week, OTDA will hold a conference call with the twelve local districts approved to operate a DFSBP on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 9:30 A.M to discuss issues and answer questions related to the DFSBP.  The call-in number for the conference call is 1- 866-266-3697, the conferee code is 7576606#.