CONTACT:  Seth Boffeli, (608) 266-5862

GOVERNOR DOYLE ANNOUNCES FOOD ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FOR FLOOD VICTIMS

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle announced today that the Department of Health Services will operate a Disaster FoodShare Program for certain residents of Milwaukee County who were economically affected by severe storms on July 20th. Only residents in certain zip codes, where flooding occurred, will be eligible and individuals currently on FoodShare will not be required to apply in person.

State and Federal officials have limited eligibility to specific zip codes that the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District has confirmed suffered flood related damage. Households who had expenses or losses because of the flooding and power outages from the July 20, 2010 storms can get a disaster benefits if they lived or worked in one of the following zip codes on July 20th: 53205, 53206, 53209, 53210, 53211, 53212, 53216, 53218, 53222, 53224 and 53225.

Households that qualify will receive a one-time FoodShare benefit for the maximum amount according to their household size. There are specific instructions for individuals in the affected zip codes:

• If you were enrolled in FoodShare in July and received replacement benefits after the flooding you do not have to do anything. Any benefits you are eligible for will be automatically added to your Quest card on November 25th.
  
  
• If you were enrolled in FoodShare in July but did not receive any replacement benefits after the flooding you can apply by calling 1-888-947-6583 between 11/9 and 11/17. Current FoodShare enrollees do not need to appear in person to apply.

In both circumstances anyone who received their maximum FoodShare benefit in July is not eligible for the Disaster FoodShare Program. Households will be notified by DHS if they do not qualify.

• If you lived or worked in the affected zip codes on July 20th and suffered flood related losses but are not on FoodShare you must apply for disaster FoodShare benefits in person at one of the locations below between 11/9 and 11/17.

You must bring proof of identity. If possible, applicants should also bring along proof of residency and income for July and August. To speed up the application process, applications can be printed and filled out ahead of time at the following website: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare.

The Disaster FoodShare Program is an additional benefit to current FEMA assistance and ends on 11/17. For more information about disaster FoodShare benefits, visit: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare.

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Last Revised:  November 09, 2010