JPMorgan has helped the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) deliver early food stamp benefits to Kentuckians recovering from the state’s recent devastating ice storm. CHFS’ Department for Community Based Services usually issues electronic monthly food benefits on a staggered schedule during the first ten days of each month. Due to the storm, nearly 252,000 food stamp recipients who typically receive funds between the third and tenth of the month were given early access to benefits on February 2nd. These benefits are delivered via J.P. Morgan-issued Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.
The Kentucky ice storm is believed to be the worst natural disaster in modern Kentucky history. Beginning on Jan. 27, 2009 and continuing for several days, ice, snow and rain pummeled the state. Fallen trees, debris and power outages paralyzed parts of the state and left hundreds of thousands of Kentuckians without electricity, water and heat. As a result, food spoilage occurred.
“Releasing food stamp benefit payments ahead of schedule is one way we have assisted customers who have lost food items because of this devastating storm,” says Pat Wilson, DCBS Commissioner. “We want to be sure every food stamp recipient who needs groceries has the means to purchase them.”
Within an hour after receiving a formal request from Kentucky, JPMorgan implemented a process to authorize nearly $58 million in food stamp benefits ahead of schedule.
“JPMorgan has a long history of assisting states with disaster response and recovery efforts,” says Laurie Neill, manager director, Public Sector Solutions, JPMorgan. “We are proud to partner with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services to make benefits available as soon as possible during this terrible event.”
In the past, JPMorgan has assisted California, Indiana, Louisiana, Nebraska and Washington in providing emergency food stamp assistance to victims of natural catastrophes. Program benefits totaling nearly $250 million were distributed to more than 710,000 households via JPMorgan’s EBT cards.
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