State of Wisconsin
Department of Health Services

Release 24-02
August 22, 2024

View History

5.3.1 Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) For Victims Of Natural Disasters

5.3.1.1 DSNAP Introduction

Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (DSNAP) policies are used after affected areas have received a Presidential major disaster declaration with “individual assistance” and the Food and Nutrition Service approves a state’s request to operate a DSNAP. The state will notify the appropriate county/tribal/W-2Wisconsin Works FoodShare agencies when this happens and work with the local agencies to provide DSNAP benefits. In Wisconsin, DSNAP is sometimes referred to as “Disaster FoodShare.”

The rules for DSNAP are significantly different from the regular FoodShare program. For example, immigrant status, student status, failure to provide an SSNSocial Security Number, work requirements and disqualification status (IPVIntentional Program Violation) from regular FoodShare are irrelevant when determining DSNAP benefits. However, committing an IPV in the DSNAP period will count towards disqualification for regular FoodShare.

Eligible applicants not receiving FoodShare benefits during the disaster month who live or work in the affected areas may receive a one-time DSNAP payment equal to the maximum allotment for their household size. To be eligible, applicants must meet a DSNAP-specific income test and have experienced one of the following requirements:

Current FoodShare members affected by the disaster may receive a supplement equal to the difference between their regular monthly allotment and the maximum allotment for their food unit size the month the disaster occurred.

To be eligible for the DSNAP benefit, applicants and members must apply during the state-defined application period for the disaster. FoodShare assistance groups that have received replacement benefits for food destroyed as a result of the disaster can still receive the DSNAP benefit up to the allotment maximum.

See Section 7.1.1.5 Replacement Issuance for Destroyed Food for the policy on Replacement Issuance for Destroyed Food.

5.3.1.2 Disaster Supplemental Assistance Program (DSNAP) Applications

All DSNAP applications must be completed in-person by the disaster victim or their authorized representative. This includes the interview process.

New Applicants

New applicants must complete and sign the Disaster FoodShare Wisconsin Assistance Application (F-16060). The IM agency will use this paper form to manually determine eligibility. Applicants for DSNAP benefits who wish to apply for ongoing FoodShare benefits may do so but will be required to follow the regular application process in order for the IM agency to determine eligibility for ongoing benefits.

Current Members

FoodShare assistance groups currently receiving benefits are eligible to receive a one-time supplement equal to the difference between their regular benefit amount and the maximum allotment for their food unit size. They must complete and sign the Affidavit of Lost Income or Disaster-Related Costs (F-16106) to receive the supplement.

Note The Disaster FoodShare Wisconsin Assistance Application (F-16060) and the Affidavit of Lost Income or Disaster-Related Costs will be available in the DHS Forms Library during a DSNAP application period.

5.3.1.3 DSNAP Verification Requirements

Applicant’s Information Status Suggested ways to verify
Identity

Mandatory

  • Photo ID Two documents that verify identity.

  • SSA data exchange for health care is acceptable to verify identity.

  • A signed affidavit from a collateral contact attesting to the identity of the applicant.

  • For additional sources of verification see Section 1.2.6.1 Required Verification to Determine Eligibility.

Address

When possible

Utility bills, tax bills, insurance policies, driver’s licenses, other ID with addressAddress refers to the actual place where the household resides. • An address is required to be provided unless a household is homeless, a migrant, or newly arrived in Wisconsin. Verification of address is not required. • A household does not have to reside in a permanent dwelling. • A household may use a general delivery address when it applies. Contrast this with "residence" in the glossary., bills, or other documents that establish the applicant’s home or work address.

Household Composition

If questionable

After taking the application, ask applicant to orally list the names, ages, and birthdates of all household members.

Loss or inaccessibility of liquid resources or of income

Where possible

Obtain a list of banks that were closed due to the disaster and compare with damage maps. Remember that in this day of ATM cards and electronic transmission, few liquid resources are truly inaccessible.

Food Loss

If questionable

Check with the power company.

Note: A power outage lasting over four hours can cause food spoilage.

This page last updated in Release Number: 20-03
Release Date: 11/23/2020
Effective Date: 11/23/2020


Notice: The content within this manual is the sole responsibility of the State of Wisconsin's Department of Health Services (DHS). This site will link to sites outside of DHS where appropriate. DHS is in no way responsible for the content of sites outside of DHS.

Publication Number: P-16001