In the Event of a Large-Area Disaster
In the event of a disaster in a large area of Arizona, the Arizona Department of Economic Security in conjunction with the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) may choose to provide food assistance to Arizonans in that area using one of three options.
NOTE When a participant’s food is destroyed during a personal disaster that is not caused by a large area of Arizona, see
Replacement Issuance of Used Benefits.
The options to be used in the event of a disaster in a large area include any of the following:
●The regular Nutrition Assistance Program (NAP) to provide NA benefits
The regular NAP should be used when all the following occur:
●Minimal damage has occurred
●Benefits can be issued using current policy and procedures
●FAA can keep up with the increase in applications for benefits
●A modified NAP to provide NA benefits
A modified NAP should be implemented when all the following occur:
●The affected area is limited to a specific area
●Participants are able to meet most of the NA eligibility requirements
●Waivers can be requested from FNS to address the needs of a portion of the population
For policies and procedures See Replacement Issuance of Benefits
●A Disaster Nutrition Assistance Program (DNAP) to provide Disaster NA benefits
Use of the DNAP must be approved by FNS prior to implementation. Approval to use DNAP may be requested from FNS when all the following occur:
●An area is declared a disaster by the President of the United States (using Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Disaster Assistance Act of 1988 criteria)
●The state does not anticipate being able to handle the expected increase in applications for benefits
●Commercial channels of food distribution were disrupted and have since been restored (using Food Stamp Act of 1977, as amended, criteria)
NOTE With DNAP, an abbreviated application is used. Also, eligibility and verification requirements are limited. Applicants may be eligible with the DNAP who would not otherwise be eligible for the regular or modified NAP.
FNS provides food assistance in the event of a disaster in the following ways:
●Food for shelters and other mass feeding sites
●Food for distribution directly to budgetary units in need (Disaster distribution of USDA foods)
●Disaster NA benefits (DNAP benefits)
NOTE Budgetary units that receive disaster distribution of USDA foods are not eligible for DNAP benefits.