Disaster food stamps OK’d in 10 more Ind. counties

INDIANAPOLIS – Federal officials gave the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration permission Tuesday to distribute emergency food stamps to residents of 10 southern Indiana counties raked by severe weather last month.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture approval for Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Jackson, Knox, Lawrence, Martin, Pike, Spencer and Switzerland counties brought to 16 the number of counties where residents who suffered storm-related losses since Sept. 12 have become eligible for the benefits.

Households in the latest 10 counties have seven days to apply beginning Wednesday.
To qualify, residents need only show identification and proof of residence such as a utility bill and sign an affidavit attesting that they suffered losses and met the income guidelines. Pay stubs and other documents might expedite the processing of applications.

Residents not normally eligible for food stamps might qualify for the emergency benefits, FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said.

“The significant power outages in these counties left some without food for days,” Roob said.

Eligible persons can apply at FSSA offices in most of the 10 counties or, in Clark County, at a one-stop shop at the County Fairgrounds in Charlestown.

Roob said applicants will need to answer questions about how the flooding affected them before they receive food stamps.

President Bush on Friday approved disaster aid for the 10 counties. Residents also are eligible for other federal aid such as individual assistance, disaster housing and crisis counseling.

Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he might request disaster declarations for additional counties once damage assessments are complete in Floyd, Jasper, Newton, Perry, Scott and St. Joseph counties.