OLYMPIA -- The federal government has approved expanding the "Feed Washington Families" Disaster Food Stamp Program into Kitsap County to provide food benefits to people who have suffered significant losses due to storm-related damage.

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) is now processing applications at the Bremerton office, 4710 Auto Center Blvd. (1-800-871-1844). The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, except for December 25 and January 1, 2008.

The deadline for applying and receiving the food benefits in Kitsap County is January 7, 2008. The benefits are issued through Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, which can be used at any time -- a month from now or even 10 months from now -- until the benefits are depleted.

To qualify for the "Feed Washington Families" disaster food assistance program, applicants must have lived or worked in Kitsap County and have suffered a disaster-related loss, such as damage to their homes or self-employment property, loss of food, reduction of income, or have incurred other disaster related expenses. Applicants must also be financially eligible.

People must apply in person at the DSHS offices listed above, be able to verify identity and residency, complete and sign a simple application form. Applicants will be asked questions about their residency, household composition, income and losses, or expenses due to the disaster.

Combined income and assets cannot exceed program limits. The Disaster Gross Income is calculated by taking a family's gross income and subtracting any disaster related losses or expenses. Only available income from December is counted. For example, the income limit after deductions for one person is $1,416 and the limit for a four person family is $2,295.

Benefits are based on family size. One person is eligible for $162 in Disaster Food Stamp benefits. A family of four is eligible for $542. Eligible individuals and families will be issued Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards to use at authorized food retailers.

Once a person is authorized for disaster food assistance, they will be able to access the benefits the same day if authorized before 3 p.m. Authorizations made after 3 p.m. will be available the next day.

In addition, school children in families that qualify for the food benefit program are temporarily eligible for reduced or free meals at school. The schools will be notified of this benefit and families should contact their local school for more information.

Individuals, who have been displaced by the storm and are now living outside of these counties, may apply for the disaster food stamp program at any DSHS Community Services Office.