In response to the devastating impact of Hurricane Beryl, which in addition to Texas affected Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a few days ago that Fort Bend and Washington counties will automatically receive a replacement of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
This decision, in coordination with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Abbott said, is to ensure that residents who have lost food due to the natural disaster can quickly regain access to essential nutrition assistance.
“As Texans continue to recover following the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, eligible Texans in Fort Bend and Washington counties will be able to have their SNAP benefits automatically replaced for food that was lost or destroyed during Hurricane Beryl,” said Governor Abbott.
“I thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for working tirelessly with our federal partners to ensure resources and assistance are provided to impacted communities, so Texans can put fresh, healthy food on the table.”
Replacement SNAP Benefits Extended to More Texas Counties
According to the Texas Governor’s Office, the extension approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, covers a total of 20 counties. These include Austin, Brazoria and Galveston, targeting communities that suffered varying levels of loss following the hurricane.
SNAP benefits recipients in these areas will automatically receive a portion of their July benefits on their Lone Star card by July 30th. This measure is designed to simplify the recovery process, avoiding that families have to face additional bureaucratic procedures in times of crisis.
Options for Additional SNAP Benefits
The recent announcement also specifies the options available for those who need additional benefits. Residents can dial 2-1-1 and select option 8, or file Form H1855 in cases of SNAP benefits not received or destroyed.
Molly Regan, Executive Deputy Commissioner of the Texas HHSC, highlighted the commission’s commitment to helping families in the process of recovery, stressing that “support is available for those who need it most.”
Help is Available for Those Households Affected
For residents outside the counties initially included but who were also affected by Hurricane Beryl, the option to apply for SNAP replacement benefits is still available. The HHSC has created a disaster assistance reception webpage, which provides information and guidance for contacting local benefit offices, downloading necessary forms, and understanding how to effectively seek help.
Texans who require additional support can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid benefits, through the portal YourTexasBenefits.com or your mobile application.
The state has simplified access to local resources such as food and shelter by simply calling 2-1-1, option 1. This ensures that families have an accessible path to recovery resources after the impact of the hurricane.
Beryl’s Journey Through Texas
Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall in Texas as a tropical storm, brought strong winds, intense rains in several southern states of the United States, where power was cut to almost two million homes and businesses in Texas alone.
Between July 1 and July 8, the effects of this extreme weather event were seen, and winds of up to 80 miles per hour (130 km/h) were recorded. This caused the destruction of thousands of homes and the loss of millions of dollars in food, with low-income households being the most affected.
