TAMPA, Fla. — Preparing for a hurricane can be stressful, thinking about the list of items you need to keep you and your family safe.

What You Need To Know

  • SNAP benefits are important after any natural disaster hits
  • She says during the last hurricane she helped to fill out several applications for families that were impacted

For many families, help is also needed after a hurricane hits.

Helping people is one of the things that Liliana Ramirez loves the most about her job. As a health promoter with the Hispanic Services Council, she’s always interacting with the community.

“We help the families with SNAP applications, Medicaid, county insurance, free and reduced lunch, WIC and we also host nutrition classes,” she said.

According to Feeding America, one in six Hispanics experience food insecurity. When natural disasters hit, Ramirez says that need is even greater.

“We refer people to FEMA, which is the first thing we do, but we also refer them to food banks if they need food,” she said.

She said SNAP benefits play a crucial part for families as well.

According to the Florida Policy Institute, SNAP helps with its D-SNAP, which stands for the Disaster Supplemental Assistance Program. The council also helps with replacement and supplemental benefits.

Perla Ocampo of Plant City says it’s one way to help families stay positive during a difficult time. 

“For those people who have suffered from a disaster, this helps so that they can have the necessities,” Ocampo said.

Ramirez has helped several families fill out SNAP forms.

“A lot of families benefited and were able to have food on their tables,” she said.

Ramirez said her goal is to help build families back up, especially when a natural disaster like a hurricane has torn them down.