Residents across Mississippi are receiving replacement SNAP benefits following Winter Storm Fern, which struck the state on January 24 and 25. The storm caused significant disruptions, including icy roads, fallen trees, and widespread power outages affecting up to 180,000 customers. The Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has authorized emergency assistance for SNAP households in the 15 counties most severely impacted. These households will receive benefits automatically, while residents in 28 other counties have until February 23 to apply for replacement benefits due to food loss from the storm.