JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved a waiver allowing residents in select Mississippi counties to use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to purchase hot foods. 

According to officials with the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS), the waiver has been granted for counties based on the extended power outages and property damage incurred due to the March 24-25, 2023, tornado.

FNS has granted approval for SNAP recipients in Carroll, Grenada, Holmes, Humphreys, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Monroe, Montgomery, Sharkey, Sunflower, Washington, and Yazoo counties to use their EBT card to purchase hot foods through May 28, 2023.

According to MDHS, normal SNAP rules prevent Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card holders from using SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods and hot food products prepared for immediate consumption. 

FNS has notified SNAP authorized retailers in the above counties of this special provision.