More than 73,000 low-income state households enrolled in SNAP, including all of those in New London County, will receive storm-related replacement benefits on Saturday.

Local families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will automatically receive 25 percent of their October benefit amount in electronic benefit transfer accounts this Saturday, the office of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday.

The average benefit replacement statewide is $62, and the benefits can be used only for federally approved food items at supermarkets, grocery stores and farmers markets.

The replacement benefits come after the state suffered more than 650,000 power outages during Sandy, leading to spoiled food. Many residents, including some locally, were without power until this past weekend. All enrolled families in New London County will be provided the benefits because more than 50 percent of each town was without power for more than four hours.

“For many families, the replacement of these benefits can mean the difference between having a meal and going hungry,” Malloy said in a release. “I thank the Obama Administration and, particularly, USDA Food and Nutrition Service officials for their swift and thorough response to Connecticut’s appeal for replacement food benefits. The fact that we can work together so closely at the state and federal levels is a critical factor in bringing genuine relief to Connecticut residents.”