AUGUSTA, GA –­­­ Renewal periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) customers living in Richmond County are being automatically extended at the current benefit amount for three additional months for households having a certification period ending in June, July or August 2017. 
 
Last week, at the request of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) SNAP national office approved a waiver that extends renewal deadlines for three months and waives the interview requirement for Richmond County SNAP households. This waiver was requested in response to the indefinite closure of the DFCS office located at 520 Fenwick St., Augusta, GA, due to extensive structural damage caused by a recent fire.
 
Under the provisions of the recently executed waiver:

  • SNAP cases due for renewal in June 2017 will now be due for renewal in September 2017.
  • SNAP cases due for renewal in July 2017 will now be due for renewal in October 2017.
  • SNAP cases due for renewal in August 2017 will now be due for renewal in November 2017.

SNAP recipients will receive a Notice of Renewal to reapply for SNAP benefits on the 20th day of the month prior to the month in which the renewal for benefits is slated to end. The extension applies only to SNAP cases. TANF and Medicaid recipients need to renew their benefits using previously established procedures to submit renewal forms in order to continue receiving benefits for those programs.
 
Customers in need of assistance are asked to call 1-877-423-4746. A temporary DFCS office has been established at Augusta Technical College, 3200 Augusta Tech Drive, Building 400, Augusta, GA 30906. Ongoing updates will be posted at www.dfcs.ga.gov.