LOS ANGELES : Emergency Food Stamp Program Ends Today

County welfare workers will stop accepting applications for emergency food stamps after today, an official said Monday.

After today, “earthquake victims could possibly qualify for the regular food stamp program,” said Mary Robertson, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Social Services. “It would depend on their income and expenses.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture authorized the emergency program for 15 days only. The use of food stamps as disaster relief is unprecedented, Robertson said. “As of Saturday, it was 213,000 (applications),” she said.

People who never received food stamps could qualify for the special program if they suffered earthquake-related losses. Applicants must have been living in Los Angeles County at the time of the quake and had to meet income eligibility requirements. According to officials, the lines at 16 application centers have shortened, and the application process has quickened. County workers are giving priority to elderly and disabled people waiting in line.

Those physically unable to go to application centers can name an authorized representative to apply on their behalf. The representatives must bring personal identification and identification of the person for whom they are applying. They must know the household’s circumstances and bring a letter naming them as the authorized representative.