Marcie Wuitschick, Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Marcie Wuitschick, Chief Human Resources Officer | North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced that residents participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) may qualify for replacement benefits if they lost food due to power outages caused by June's severe weather events, including tornadoes, windstorms, and hail.
Eligible SNAP households that experienced power outages lasting more than four hours have until June 30, 2025, to apply for these benefits. HHS confirmed power outage information based on county-wide impacts, allowing households in Barnes, Burleigh, Cass, Foster, Grant, Griggs, Kidder, Logan, Morton, Ransom, Sioux, Steele, Stutsman and Traill counties to request replacement benefits without further verification of food loss.
For those residing in other North Dakota counties who also suffered food loss due to extended power outages of four hours or more must provide proof from their power company through notifications such as website updates or text alerts to receive replacement benefits.
Affected households can submit a fully completed and signed Request for Replacement Due to Loss of SNAP Benefits form (SFN 270) within ten days of reporting a loss. This can be done via the Self-Service Portal (SSP), email at applyforhelp@nd.gov or by returning it to a human service zone office. Alternatively, they can contact the Customer Support Center by email at applyforhelp@nd.gov or by phone Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CT at (866) 614-6005 or (701) 328-1000.
The program will replace the amount of food loss up to the monthly benefit amount received by the household. For instance, if a household reports a $250 food loss but received $300 in SNAP benefits for the month; they will receive $250 once verified. The maximum replacement cannot exceed one month's SNAP benefit amount.
For additional information or questions about this program people are encouraged to visit hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/snap or contact the Customer Support Center or their local human service zone office.
Furthermore,"North Dakotans who were impacted by the recent disaster and maybe struggling or in crisis can find help through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline." Assistance is available via call or text at 988 or online chat at 988lifeline.org.
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