The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) has announced that residents of Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties impacted by recent flooding may qualify for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits. The flooding occurred between February 15 and March 16, 2025. D-SNAP benefits are intended to assist in purchasing food but cannot be used for alcohol, tobacco, or non-food items.
Janie Cole, Commissioner of DoHS’s Bureau for Family Assistance, stated: “We are honored to be able to help support our fellow West Virginians in this time of crisis. Our staff will be available for extended hours to help facilitate applications for this program. Residents who are not normally eligible for SNAP may qualify for D-SNAP due to the differences in this disaster-related program.”
Eligibility is determined by calculating a household’s net income. This includes available income, cash on hand, and accessible bank accounts minus unreimbursed disaster-related expenses such as food loss or property damage. Assets like homes and automobiles do not factor into eligibility.
Residents can apply for D-SNAP benefits from March 17 through March 21 at designated county DoHS offices with extended hours from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm:
– Mercer County DoHS Office at 350 Davis Street, Princeton
– Mingo County DoHS Office at 203 East Third Avenue, Williamson
– McDowell County DoHS Office at 840 Virginia Avenue, Welch
– Wyoming County DoHS Office at 1767 Bearhole Rd, Pineville
Applicants should bring photo ID proof of identity, documentation of residence or employment in the affected county during the disaster period, verification of all income received since February 5, and documentation of assets and disaster-related expenses.
Most benefits will be issued within one day after application and must be used within 90 days. Households already receiving SNAP benefits in these counties might also receive a one-time supplement if they meet certain conditions related to the disaster impact.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds SNAP benefits entirely and provides nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and households.
