For more information contact:
Joseph Thornton, Media Coordinator/Public Information
Specialist
Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs
West Virginia Department of health and Human Resources
Phone: 304-558-7899 Fax:
304-558-7075
Cell: 304-546-7960 e-mail:
josephthornton@wvdhhr.org
For immediate release
For immediate release
Millions in food stamp aid distributed during recent flooding
More than 7,600 families affected by the recent flooding applied for and received food stamp aid from the Department of Health and Human Resources. The amount of aid granted was over $2 million and went to nearly 20,000 individuals. Food stamp aid was provided to individuals in McDowell, Mercer, Mingo and Wyoming counties.Department workers in the four counties involved worked long hours, often taking aid to those that could not get out to ensure the needs of the communities were met.
"It is a testament to the type of workers we have in DHHR," said Secretary Paul L. Nusbaum. "Once again, when the need for help presented itself, our workers stepped up to the challenge and came through for these families."
A county by county breakdown of figures shows the most aid was distributed in McDowell County with a little more than $1.6 million going to aid the families affected there. The Mingo County DHHR office distributed more than $265,000 in food stamp benefits, while Mercer County residents received nearly $120,000 in direct aid. Wyoming County residents applied for and received a little more than $18,000 in food stamp benefits to help alleviate much of the trauma and stress many families faced during and after the floods.
– 30 –