Connecticut residents who receive SNAP and lost food during the long power outages caused by Saturday’s severe storm may be eligible for replacement benefits, Governor Ned Lamont announced.

Saturday’s storm knocked out electricity for many households, leaving families with spoiled groceries they had already purchased.

Federal rules allow the Department of Social Services to replace SNAP benefits when food is destroyed in events like fires, floods or outages lasting at least four hours.

Governor Lamont urged residents to act quickly, saying anyone who lost food should contact DSS before the July 14 deadline. DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves added that many families are still recovering and shouldn’t miss out on help simply because they didn’t know it was available.

Residents must report their losses to DSS — by phone, in person, in writing, or by submitting form W‑1225/W‑1225S— no later than July 14. DSS will then verify that the food was destroyed due to the outage and issue replacement benefits based on the amount lost, up to the household’s monthly SNAP benefit.