Feds to partially replace SNAP benefits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- Federal officials have approved more than half a million dollars for Rhode Island SNAP benefits who lost food as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

Governor Lincoln Chafee announced Sunday morning that the US Department of Agriculture approved the $535,796, which is earmarked for Rhode Islanders who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.  In communities where more than 50% of residents lost power, the federal money will replace 25% of their October SNAP benefits and be added to their EBT cards by Friday.

Those towns are Charlestown, Exeter, Foster, Glocester, Hopkinton, Jamestown, Little Compton, Middletown, Narragansett, Newport, Richmond, Scituate, South Kingstown, Tiverton and Westerly.

Rhode Islanders receiving SNAP benefits who lost frozen or perishable food during the hurricane but do not live in those towns must make an application to the Rhode Island Department of Human Services to receive replacement benefits.  For more information on making those applications, call one of the six Rhode Island DHS field officers or log on to dhs.ri.gov .