Food Spoiled by a Power Outage? SNAP Might Replace It for You

It can be incredibly frustrating to lose electricity right after you go grocery shopping. If you’re without electricity for several hours, you may find that the refrigerated food you just bought is no longer safe to consume.

The USDA notes that your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours without power.

If you’re without power for more than four hours, you should dispose of refrigerated food items like meat, eggs, fish, and leftovers.

Are you worried about draining your checking account balance to replace spoiled food after a lengthy outage? If you’re a SNAP recipient, you may qualify for reimbursement. Here’s what you need to know.

Getting replacement SNAP benefits after a household misfortune

If your food was destroyed due to a household misfortune, you can contact your state agency to request replacement SNAP benefits. But you must do so promptly.

Some examples of incidents that are considered a household misfortune include:

• Fire
• Flood
• Equipment failure (refrigerator/freezer)
• Lengthy power outages (4 or more hours)

You must submit a statement of loss to your state agency within 10 days. A written statement of loss may be mailed if you’re unable to visit your local office because of age, handicap, or distance, or if you can’t appoint an authorized representative.

After making a report, the state agency must provide replacement SNAP benefits within 10 days of receiving your report or within two working days of receiving a signed statement of loss, whichever date is later. The agency can replace up to one month’s worth of benefits.

If you think you’re eligible for replacement benefits, contact your state agency ASAP.

Three tips to protect your food during a lengthy power outage

1. Keep your refrigerator and freezer doors shut. It’s best to keep your refrigerator and freezer doors shut during a power outage. This can help maintain the temperature inside your appliances and extend the life of your food.
2. Invest in a portable cooler. Consider investing in a portable cooler so you can get ice and store some food items safely during a lengthy power outage. Check to see if your local consignment stores have coolers for an affordable price or buy a new one during a sale.
3. Have shelf-stable food on hand. In addition to purchasing refrigerator and freezer goods when you grocery shop, it’s a good idea to buy non-perishable food items. Access to canned goods and other shelf-stable food can ensure your family is well prepared for bad weather.

Don’t rack up credit card charges refilling your fridge after a big storm. If you receive SNAP benefits, remember this policy so you know what to do if your food is damaged due to misfortune. If you have specific questions about the replacement of benefits, contact your local assistance office.

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