MDHS ANNOUNCES REPLACEMENT BENEFITS FOR COUNTIES AFFECTED BY WINTER STORM FERN

Only Current Eligible SNAP Clients

February 6, 2026

The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announces that the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved mass replacement benefits for CURRENT Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) households in the 15 hardest-hit counties. A separate waiver extending the period to request replacement benefits has already been granted until February 23, 2026, for residents in the additional 28 counties impacted by Winter Storm Fern.

MASS REPLACEMENT BENEFITS

Households in the 15 counties listed below do not need to submit a MDHS-EA-508 Form to receive replacement benefits. Eligible clients in these counties will be issued benefits automatically.

Timing of issuance may vary. Clients in the following counties are encouraged to monitor their accounts over the next few weeks for receipt of benefits:

• Alcorn County
• Choctaw County
• Claiborne County
• Grenada County
• Holmes County
• Humphreys County
• Lafayette County
• Montgomery County
• Panola County
• Sharkey County
• Tallahatchie County
• Tippah County
• Tishomingo County
• Yalobusha County
• Yazoo County

EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR REPLACEMENT BENEFIT REQUESTS

SNAP households in the following remaining counties who suffered a loss as a result of the winter storm have until February 23, 2026, to request replacement benefits:

• Adams County
• Attala County
• Benton County
• Bolivar County
• Calhoun County
• Carroll County
• Chickasaw County
• Coahoma County
• Desoto County
• Issaquena County
• Itawamba County
• Jefferson County
• Lee County
• Leflore County
• Lowndes County
• Madison County
• Marshall County
• Pontotoc County
• Prentiss County
• Quitman County
• Sunflower County
• Tate County
• Tunica County
• Union County
• Warren County
• Washington County
• Webster County
• Wilkinson County

Before applying for SNAP Replacement benefits, please review these four items:

SNAP Replacement is ONLY available to current SNAP clients.

The amount of replacement benefits received will NOT exceed the amount you currently receive.

Food loss must be the result of a weather-related power outage lasting more than 4 hours or an event such as tornadoes, floods or snow. 

Submission of the replacement benefit attestation is a legal request for benefits and should be truthful and accurate.

The application may be downloaded and submitted via the secure document upload feature on the MDHS website at SNAP Replacement Benefits – Mississippi Department of Human Services

For the latest information and updates:

• Visit https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/weather-updates-office-closures/
• Follow MDHS on official social media channels
• Monitor local news outlets

1. Where do you get proof that you had a power outage?
   • Clients can provide proof of a power outage by:
     • Visiting their utility provider’s website to request an outage verification letter
     • Providing a photo of a verified text message regarding the outage
     • Providing a photo of the real-time, interactive outage map
       NOTE: If documentation is submitted from a utility provider, the address must match the client’s case files. Submitting falsified documents is considered fraud and may result in penalties.
       
2. How do I upload my documents?
   1. Current SNAP recipients may submit their documents using one of the following methods:
      • EA Document Upload feature on the MDHS website
      • Email your local county office
      • Fax to your local county office
3. If I am in one of the counties listed for mass replacement, what do I need to do?
   • Current SNAP recipients in those counties do not need to do anything to receive replacement benefits.
     
4. How much will I receive in replacement benefits?
   • Current SNAP recipients may receive replacement SNAP  in the amount of the loss to the household, but no more than the maximum amount of SNAP benefits issued for the month. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
     
5. Will we receive our full allotment for mass replacement?
   • Current SNAP recipients approved for mass replacement will receive a percentage of benefits determined by USDA FNS.
     
6. How long will it take for replacement benefits to be issued once I submit my 508?
   • Forms are processed as quickly as possible.
     
7. How do I receive replacement SNAP benefits 
   • Current SNAP recipients who experienced a loss of food as a result of a power outage of more than 4 hours during Winter Storm Fern may apply for replacement benefits. Replacement benefits may be provided in the amount of the loss to the household, but no more than the maximum amount of SNAP benefits issued for the month. The replacement request form (MDHS-EA-508) may be accessed here: https://www.mdhs.ms.gov/snap-replacement-benefits-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap/.  
     
8. How long do I have to request replacement SNAP benefits? 
   • Current SNAP households in the approved counties who suffered food loss as a result of the severe weather have until February 23, 2026, to request replacement benefits. Current SNAP households not in the approved counties must report the disaster to their local MDHS office within 10 days of the date of loss.