Special disaster nutrition assistance is in effect until September 30.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners advises SNAP recipients in Union County that they are eligible for special disaster food assistance from now through September 30.
SNAP is the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The special assistance was applied for and received by the New Jersey Department of Human Services after FEMA issued a Major Disaster Declaration for counties impacted by Tropical Storm Ida, including Union County as well as Bergen, Essex, Gloucester, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Passaic, and Somerset.
“Tropical Storm Ida has created new burdens on many households, including those impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. I would like to thank the Murphy administration for their work in securing additional federal nutrition assistance for Union County and others affected by the storm,” said Union County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella.
SNAP recipients in Union County can use their EBT benefits cards to purchase hot food at participating NJ SNAP retailers until Sept. 30, 2021.
For a list of participating retailers visit the interactive map at the U.S. Department of Agriculture website, usda.gov/snap/retailer-locator. Please note that the hot food waiver only applies to items purchased from SNAP-approved retailers located in the 10 counties under the Major Disaster Declaration issued by FEMA.
SNAP recipients in Union County also have until September 30 to request replacement benefits for food lost due to the impact of the storm.
All current Union County SNAP recipients can report food loss due to the impact of the storm by calling the Union County Social Services office at 908-965-2700.
Clients who are currently receiving SNAP benefits, can also report food loss by sending an email to elizredetbank@ucnj.org. In the email, please be sure to state your name, case number and address, and include a brief statement regarding your loss of food items only.
All Union County residents impacted by Tropical Storm Ida can visit ucnj.org/ida for additional resources and instructions on applying for assistance.
Union County has also scheduled mobile storm recovery assistance centers to provide guidance in person. The next event will be held Tuesday, September 14, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Rahway at the Community Center, 3 City Hall Plaza.
An event will also be held on Friday, September 17, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Plainfield at Black Lives Matter Plaza (City Hall), 515 Watchung Avenue.
Any Union County resident impacted by the storm can visit any of these events, regardless of their home town. Additional events will be added soon. For an updated list visit ucnj.org/ida.
Union County residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can also receive supplies of fresh produce and shelf-stable foods at Union County’s ongoing series of emergency food distribution events. For a list of upcoming food distribution events visit ucnj.org/covid19/food-distribution-events.
For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
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