SNAP
3102 W. Fort George Wright
Spokane, WA 99224
(509) 456-7111
Fax: (509) 534-5874
Press Release 4-28-09
For immediate release
TO: News Desk, Assignment Editor
FR: Ron Hardin, Communications Manager
SNAP
2116 E. First Avenue, Spokane WA 99202
509-456-7111 ext.242; hardin@snapwa.org
Cell phone 993-7143
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SNAP Energy Assistance Exceeds $6.5 Million Dollars
Breaking all past records, SNAP has now allocated over $6.5 million dollars in energy assistance to Spokane County residents. This money has been distributed since the current seasonal program started during the first week of November, 2008.
“Funds are still available and the phone lines are not real busy right now,” according to Margaret Belote, Director of SNAP’s energy assistance program. “We expect to have funds available through the month of May.”
Appointments are scheduled by calling 242-2376 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A limited number of appointments are also established online at www.snapwa.org.
Over 11,000 households in Spokane County have received the energy assistance money. The average amount distributed per household is $579.
SNAP continues to receive phone calls from those families who do not qualify for the program because of their income level. Those who have questions about the minimum income level can consult the guidelines printed on the SNAP web site.
The guidelines are based on a sliding scale taking income and household size into consideration. Applicants can qualify for the program only once during a 12-month period.
Those with shut off notices should immediately call their nearest SNAP office to arrange a priority appointment.
Of the total served, over 3,000 households are new applicants to SNAP’s energy program.
“This is an indication of the challenges of our current economy,” Belote said.
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About SNAP: SNAP connects and provides access to resources which creates opportunities, with dignity, for low income people.