LEXINGTON, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear's administration has extended the application period for disaster food benefits to Sept. 2 for Kentuckians affected by catastrophic flooding, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health & Family Services.

Residents who live or work in 12 counties covered under the federal disaster declaration are now eligible to apply for the emergency Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or DSNAP, benefits. The extension provides additional time for residents to submit applications as the state continues recovery efforts from the flooding.

DSNAP provides temporary food assistance to households that have lost income or food supplies due to the disaster. The program helps residents purchase groceries and other food items at participating retailers throughout the state.

Eligible residents can apply through local county offices or online through the state's benefits system. The Cabinet for Health & Family Services has been coordinating the disaster relief effort to ensure affected families have access to critical nutrition assistance during the recovery period.

The 12-county designation under the federal disaster declaration indicates the extent of damage from the flooding event and allows residents in those areas to qualify for various state and federal assistance programs. Officials urged residents to apply before the Sept. 2 deadline to secure the temporary food assistance.