The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue emergency food stamps to residents of Porter, Lake, and LaPorte counties who suffered losses during this month’s flooding.

Residents not currently receiving state assistance may be eligible, FSSA said.

Applicants should be able to answer yes to one of five questions:

•Did the disaster damage or destroy your home or self-employment property?

•Does you household have any additional expenses as a result of the disaster?

•From Sept. 14 through Oct. 13, did your household have to pay for food to replace what was lost in the disaster?

•Did the disaster delay, reduce, or stop any of your household’s income?

•Does you household have any cash or money in checking or savings accounts which you cannot get to because the bank is closed due to the disaster?

Families have seven days, beginning today and ending Oct. 1. The one-month benefit period covered by this disaster application runs from Sept. 14 through Oct. 13. When applying, applicants should bring a state driver’s license or other form of identification, such as work or school ID, birth certificate, wage stub, and a document verifying home address. Applicants may be asked for their Social Security number.

Persons who purposely provide wrong information on a food stamp application may be denied food stamps and legal action may be taken.

In Porter County applications may be made at the Division of Family Resources Office at 152 Indiana Ave. in Valparaiso.

For more information visit www.in.gov/fssa

Posted 9/25/2008