Ocean County Administration Building During the Winter (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Ocean County officials announced Monday that the county will declare a state of emergency in response to the suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, “which has created significant hardship for vulnerable residents across the county,” a statement said.
The declaration will authorize the county to take immediate action to “safeguard the health and welfare of at-risk residents, particularly seniors and children, who depend on SNAP benefits to meet essential nutritional needs,” the statement said.
A state of emergency, as authorize under state law, permits the county to make emergency appropriations and engage in expedited purchasing and contracting for client-based food assistance. Neither the cost nor the source of those appropriations were detailed in the statement. The statement said that county government will coordinate its efforts with the Ocean County Department of Human Services, Office of Senior Services, Veterans Service Bureau, Ocean County Board of Social Services and local food security partners to “ensure equitable and efficient delivery of aid.”
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“We have prepared the appropriate documents to declare the State of Emergency, and the Commissioners have authorized that I begin the formalities to develop an emergency program,” County Administrator Michael Fiure said. “We are monitoring this situation closely and will provide updates as things progress.”
The county commissioners have a regularly scheduled meeting set for Wednesday at 4 p.m.
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