Time running out for SNAP recipients hit by storms

[WATCH: In the video player above learn what to do if the power goes out .]

(WKBN) — Time is running out to request Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) replacement benefits for those impacted by severe storms last month.

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) Director Matt Damschroder made the announcement on Friday that SNAP recipients in the counties below have until Sept. 5 to request replacement benefits for lost food due to recent power outages from severe storms .

Counties include: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Summit and Trumbull, totaling the eight counties Governor Mike DeWine declared in a state of emergency last week .

“We have secured a federal waiver that will help SNAP recipients who were impacted by the recent widespread power outages in northeast Ohio,” said Damschroder in a news release. “This waiver increases the window for seeking reimbursement of benefits from 10 to 30 days.”

Households that lose food purchased with SNAP benefits due to a power outage of four hours or more can apply to receive replacement SNAP benefits for the amount of food the household lost, as long as it does not exceed their monthly allotment.

Impacted households must fill out this form and submit it to their County Department of Job and Family Services (CDJFS) by September 5.

The CDJFS will have to verify the extended power outage before replacing benefits. Households should be prepared to provide verification of the extended power outage. This includes screenshots of news reports, text or email alerts, or outage maps that show their specific area was without power for four hours or more.

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