The West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) has received federal approval for a temporary waiver allowing SNAP households in Lewis, Pleasants, Ritchie and Upshur counties to purchase hot foods using their SNAP benefits at authorized retailers, providing additional flexibility for households affected by severe storms and flooding that occurred July 21 and 22, 2026.
The waiver is effective August 28 through September 26, 2026.
President Donald J. Trump issued a major disaster declaration (DR-4932) on August 7, 2026, authorizing Federal Individual Assistance in the four counties. The storms caused widespread flooding, power outages, and damage to homes, creating challenges for some households in preparing and safely storing food.
Under normal circumstances, SNAP benefits cannot be used to purchase hot or prepared foods. The temporary waiver allows SNAP households in the affected counties to use their benefits to purchase hot meals at authorized retailers. The waiver was approved August 28, 2026, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA).
Retailers may need 24 to 48 hours to implement the necessary point-of-sale system updates. While retailers have been notified of the waiver, SNAP households may not be able to purchase hot foods immediately at every authorized retailer.
The waiver is authorized under Section 412 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and Section 5(h)(1) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008. DoHS may request an extension of the waiver if conditions warrant additional relief.
For more information about SNAP benefits and disaster-related assistance, visit the Bureau for Family Assistance website or contact your local DoHS county office.
