Ocean County Storm Survivors Start Signing Up for Federal Food Aid

If you live in Ocean County and you've been sandbagged by Sandy, you might qualify for federal emergency aid to compensate for the cost of temporary lodging, food, and more.

Registration for the Disaster Supplemental Assistance Program runs today through December 4 at the Ocean County Library branches in Toms River and Brick Townships; Ocean County College in Toms River; and the county's Southern Service Center in Manahawkin. They're open 8 AM until 8 PM through December 3, an 8 'til 5 December 4

Signup is alphabetical by last name as follows:

• Last names beginning A-G, today and tomorrow.
• Last names H-P, Wednesday and Thursday, November 28 and 29.
• Last names Q-Z, Friday November 30 and Monday December 3
• All last names (A-Z) on Monday, December 4.

According to county officials D-SNAP can also supplement costs of cleanup, generator fuel, and replacement of lost clothes, educational items, tools, and appliances. Other allowable expenses are the cost of dining out, but not of food replacement; disaster-related home, business and vehicle repairs; evacuation costs;

Applicants should be prepared to show pay stubs and bank statements applying to the span between October 28 and November 26. Those who apply should bring receipts showing more than $100 spent on disaster-related items between October 28 and November 26.

A single individual has an income limit of $2,268 and can receive up to $200. A two-person family can show income as high as $2,965 and get benefits up to $367; a family of three can have income no more than $3,416 to receive $526. A four-person family's earnings cannot exceed $4,034, and can expect as much as $668.

SNAP recipients need not apply. They're already on course for an automatic 30-percent adjustment.