RALEIGH – Governor Pat McCrory’s request for Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits for North Carolina households impacted by Hurricane Matthew has been approved for eight additional counties.

Hertford and Northampton were among the added counties.

This assistance will help individuals who are not current recipients of Food and Nutrition Services (FNS), or food stamp benefits. Residents in the impacted counties who are not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits may qualify for disaster assistance for a one-month period if they have suffered losses from Hurricane Matthew, including:

Destroyed or damaged homes;

Disaster-related expenses; and

Loss of income or food as a result of power outage or household flooding.

The federal government determines eligibility based on available income and resources.

Over the next few days, Department of Social Services offices in Hertford and Northampton counties will be accepting applications for these benefits.

In Hertford County, those wishing to register can do so daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (Nov. 14-16) at 101 C.S. Brown Circle in Winton.

Northampton residents can apply from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. daily on Thursday, Nov. 10 and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week (Nov. 14-16) at the DSS office in Jackson (9488 NC Hwy 305).

Those applying for Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits must provide proof of identity along with proof of residency (if available). Applicants must apply in the county where they reside.

“North Carolinians are resilient and we will recover, but we must remember that some of our neighbors lost everything as a result of Hurricane Matthew,” Governor McCrory said. “Disaster food assistance will help provide immediate help to those in need as they begin to rebuild their lives.”