Share on Facebook Smithfield, NC -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has been approved by the US Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service to provide food assistance in the form of a Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits in Johnston County. The program is open to individuals not normally eligible for Food and Nutrition Services benefits, who were affected by the tornadoes of April 16th.

Residents of the affected areas of these counties who are not currently receiving Food and Nutrition Services benefits may qualify for temporary assistance for a one month period if their home was damaged or destroyed or they have disaster related expenses or they lost income or had food loss as a result of a power loss of at least 8 hours from the tornadoes of April 16th. Eligibility is based on available income and resources.

Those applying for Disaster Food and Nutrition Services benefits will be asked to provide proof of their identity along with proof of residency, such as a utility bill, and the social security numbers and dates of birth for all members of their household. Applicants should apply in the county where they reside. The Johnston County Department of Social Services will accept applications from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm beginning Friday, April 29 through Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at the following location:

Johnston County DSS 714 North Street Smithfield, NC 27577

Food and Nutrition Services recipients who live in one of the above listed counties who suffered a food loss, damage to their home or self-employment property or loss of wages as a result of the April 16 th storms must contact their county in person no later than May 6, 2011 for replacement of benefits unless they have already done so.