NEBRASKA- After a record-breaking storm rolled through eastern Nebraska last month, Susan Ochoa of Bellevue was among the many who lost power for nearly a week, she said. Without power, she also lost the food in her refrigerator and freezer.

An extended outage that spoils food is inconvenient in any circumstance. But it presents a particularly dire situation for Ochoa and others like her who rely on monthly nutrition assistance benefits.

Ochoa told The World-Herald she had used last month's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, formerly known as food stamps, before the storm hit. She submitted paperwork within days, requesting replacement benefits via the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, she said, but still hadn't received them as of Tuesday.

Regular SNAP benefits are issued at the beginning of each calendar month on the first through the fifth, according to a DHHS spokesperson, based on the last digit of the head of household’s Social Security number.

Ochoa has received dry goods through the local food pantry, she said, but her diabetes makes the need for replacement benefits all the more urgent.

“It’s been a nightmare,” she said. “My blood sugars are up and my doctor had to increase my insulin. I don’t want to go to the hospital, and I’ve just been very depressed, sitting here, worrying, wondering when I’m going to get the nutrition in the house that I need.”

The July 10 storm left 188,000 homes and businesses without power, the most in Omaha Public Power District's history. Nebraska DHHS received 8,505 requests for replacement benefits due to food lost in the power outages that had been purchased with SNAP benefits, according to spokesperson Garret Swanson.

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