1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Puerto Rico Flexibility in Food Assistance Act of 2018 . 2. Authorization of additional funds for block grant for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Section 19(a)(2) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2028(a)(2) ) is amended— (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively, and (2) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following: (C) Authorization and advance availability of appropriations (i) Authorization of appropriations In addition to funds made available under subparagraph (B), there is authorized to be appropriated $635,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2020 and 2021 for payment to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the provision of the assistance described in subparagraph (B). (ii) Appropriation in advance Except as provided in clause (iii), only funds appropriated under clause (i) in advance specifically for the provision of the assistance described in subparagraph (B) shall be available for payment to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for the provision of the assistance described in subparagraph (B). (iii) Other funds Funds appropriated under clause (i) shall be in addition to funds made available under subparagraph (B). . 3. Authority to provide cash benefits during natural disasters Section 19(e)(3)(B) of the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 ( 7 U.S.C. 2028(e)(3)(B) ) is amended— (1) by striking Secretary, informed and inserting the following: Secretary— (i) informed , (2) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and , and (3) by adding at the end the following: (ii) shall approve the modification of such plan by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to allow participants, or categories of participants, to receive benefits in the form of cash immediately after a determination by the Secretary that access to such benefits is limited or unavailable as a result of a natural disaster, and during specific periods for which the Secretary has made such a determination. .