In response to recent severe weather and ongoing efforts to support vulnerable populations, the U.S. government has expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Kentucky and New Mexico.
This includes both emergency assistance for those affected by storms and extra provisions for seniors and people with disabilities in New Mexico. These changes aim to ensure that residents in need have access to essential food resources during challenging times.
The impact of these expansions affects over 1 million people across both states. In Kentucky, a temporary relaxation of SNAP rules enables recipients to use their benefits to purchase hot meals in certain counties affected by severe weather.
Temporary SNAP relaxation in Kentucky after devastating storms
In Kentucky, recent storms caused significant damage, with nearly 20 fatalities and widespread destruction of homes and infrastructure.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), SNAP rules have been temporarily relaxed to allow those in affected counties to purchase hot meals from participating retailers. This adjustment aims to increase access to food during power outages that have made cooking difficult for many residents.
This emergency measure will remain in effect until July 2, 2025, for eligible residents in 26 counties. Typically, SNAP benefits can only be used to buy ingredients, cold snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages. However, this relaxation allows participants to buy prepared, warm meals, a necessary accommodation in the aftermath of the severe weather.
The counties eligible for Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) assistance in Kentucky include:
- Adair
- Caldwell
- Calloway
- Casey
- Christian
- Clay
- Clinton
- Crittenden
- Cumberland
- Henderson
- Hopkins
- Jackson
- Knox
- Laurel
- Lincoln
- Lyon
- Marshall
- McCreary
- Pulaski
- Rockcastle
- Russell
- Trigg
- Union
- Wayne
- Webster
- Whitley
New Mexico’s one-off SNAP boost for seniors and those with disabilities
In New Mexico, a different approach to supporting vulnerable residents has been implemented. Older adults aged 60 and above, as well as people with disabilities, will receive a one-time benefit of $68 on their SNAP cards.
This additional assistance has been automatically added to the accounts of 29,444 eligible recipients as of June 3, 2025. This initiative, funded through state general funds, is aimed at providing extra food security to those who may have limited access to food due to age or disability.
Kyra Ochoa, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Health Care Authority, commented that this collaboration demonstrates the power of interdepartmental partnerships in effectively addressing the needs of residents.
Emily Kaltenbach, Cabinet Secretary at the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, further stressed that this initiative ensures older adults and those with disabilities have access to the nutritious food they need.
