Finding Assistance After the Storm: A Guide from Hunger Free Oklahoma

UPDATE June 30, 2023: Oklahoma Human Services has announced that participants in the affected 12 counties will receive automatic replacement of 45% of their June 2023 benefits by June 30, 2023. Hunger Free Oklahoma applauds Oklahoma Human Services and USDA for making this happen for Oklahomans. Counties approved for mass replacement under this USDA-FNS waiver include Atoka, Creek, Johnston, Mayes, McCurtain, McIntosh, Muskogee, Payne, Pushmataha, Rogers, Tulsa and Wagoner.

SNAP customers in the above 12 storm-affected counties do not need to do anything to receive the replacement of 45 percent of their June benefits. However, households in these counties who lost more than 45 percent of the food purchased with their June 2023 SNAP benefit may request replacement up to the total allotment received by completing a Request for Destroyed Food Replacement Form. If approved, the household’s secondary replacement will only be the difference between the requested amount and the mass replacement.

Additionally, the food loss reporting deadline has been extended for all 32 affected counties to July 7, 2023. The extended deadline applies to the following 32 counties: Harper, Ellis, Major, Logan, Oklahoma, Carter, Choctaw, Leflore, Latimer, Pittsburg, Hughes, Seminole, Pottawatomie, Lincoln, Osage, Pawnee, Delaware, Cherokee, Sequoyah, Okmulgee, Atoka, Creek, Johnston, McCurtain, McIntosh, Mayes, Muskogee, Payne, Pushmataha, Rogers, Tulsa, and Wagoner.

See the Oklahoma Human Services Food Replacement policy here.

If you do not have SNAP benefits but have lost all your food, there are options available to you: 

Check With Your Insurance 

If you have homeowners’ or renters’ insurance, reach out to your insurance company to see if you have coverage for lost food due to power outages. Keep in mind that coverage may vary and you may have a deductible that exceeds your loss. 

Find a Local Pantry 

Finding a local pantry is simple by following these steps:  

• If you are in Tulsa or eastern Oklahoma, visit the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Get Help page to locate a pantry near you. 
• If you are in Oklahoma City or western Oklahoma, check the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma’s Get Help page to find a nearby pantry. 
• If you are anywhere in Oklahoma, dial 211 to get information on pantries near you. 

To ensure a smoother experience, we highly recommend calling ahead to the pantries to confirm their power and food availability. 

Apply for SNAP – Use the HFO Callback Request Form 

Apply for SNAP through our application assistance hotline by filling out this short form in English or Spanish.

We will call you back to help you apply for SNAP on the days and times that work for you. Eligibility and FAQs can be found here. The best way to know if you qualify for SNAP is to apply.

Here is what you need to know about the availability of summer cafes and meal sites which might have been impacted by the recent storm:  

• Tulsa Public Schools sites are closed as of today, June 20, 2023. Updates will be provided regularly, so please check here for the latest information. 
• If you found a site through www.meals4kidsok.org, we advise you to call or check the organization’s social media before visiting, as mealtimes and service availability may have been interrupted. 

D-SNAP is not currently authorized. We will share updates as the D-SNAP situation evolves. If D-SNAP is authorized, anyone within the designated disaster area who suffered a disaster-related expense (such as loss of income, property damage, loss of food due to power outages) can apply for assistance, even if they do not normally qualify for SNAP. If approved to operate D-SNAP, Oklahoma Human Services (formerly Oklahoma Department of Human Services) will announce details on when and where impacted households can submit D-SNAP applications.  

As of now, summer P-EBT distribution is still scheduled for July. This timeline has not changed based on the information available to us. We will update our P-EBT webpage as we have additional information. Rest assured; assistance is on its way. 

For information regarding cooling centers, trash services, and utility updates, we encourage you to visit your city’s website. In Tulsa, you can visit the City of Tulsa’s Storm Updates page. You can find the latest update as of June 20, 12:00 p.m. (noon) by clicking here. Stay informed by regularly checking their virtual Press Room for the latest updates.  

The Tulsa Area Emergency Management Agency (TAEMA) is coordinating with volunteer organizations to provide help to Tulsa area residents who are experiencing food and medication insecurity, facing costly home repairs, and/or who cannot manage fallen trees and limbs in their yards. The program is meant to serve residents who are physically and/or financially unable to perform these activities. Click here to find the Volunteer Disaster Assistance Request form, as well as other services and information.

If you have additional questions or need further assistance, please fill out this short form. Our team is here to support you during this challenging time.  

As the situation changes, we will continue to keep you updated on any changes or new information that may arise. Visit our website and follow our Facebook page for the latest updates.  

We want to express our deepest empathy and stand with all those affected by the storm. We believe in the resilience and strength of our community.  

Stay safe, stay strong, and know that brighter days are ahead.