For those people who suffered damage and were victims of Hurricane Beryl in the state of Texas who are SNAP beneficiaries are now eligible to receive replacement food stamps under some conditions, beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) who suffered food losses due to Hurricane Beryl can now count on replacement benefits, and an extension has been provided so that they can submit their application.
SNAP benefits can be replaced if food purchased with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards is damaged by the effect of power outages, floods, property destruction and other impacts of natural disasters. On a regular basis, food purchased with SNAP benefits can only be replaced if the beneficiary makes the request within 10 days of the incident, but due to the great impact of Hurricane Beryl on the citizens of Texas, SNAP beneficiaries now have time until August 8th.
Relief for Low-Income Families Affected by Hurricane Beryl — Food Stamps Replacement
Hurricane Beryl hit the state of Texas this week, causing heavy damage to properties and leaving millions of people without electricity, as of July 11, more than a million people are still without electricity and, it was confirmed that seven people died in the state of Texas after the Category 1 hurricane hit the state.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has been overseeing the response on the ground as acting governor, while Gov. Greg Abbott is part of an economic development tour of Asia.
Which counties does the extension apply to?
The department has confirmed all counties are eligible for the extension:
Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, Bowie, Brazoria, Brazos, Brooks, Burleson, Caldwell, Calhoun, Cameron, Camp, Cass, Chambers, Cherokee, Collin, Colorado, Comal, Dallas, Delta, DeWitt, Dimmit, Duval, Ellis, Falls, Fannin, Fayette, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Galveston, Goliad, Gonzales, Grayson, Gregg , Grimes, Guadalupe, Hardin, Harris, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Houston, Hunt, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kaufman, Kenedy, Kinney, Kleberg, Lamar, LaSalle, Lavaca, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Limestone, Live Oak, Madison, Marion, Matagorda, Maverick, McLennan, McMullen, Medina, Milam, Montgomery, Morris, Nacogdoches, Navarro, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Panola, Polk, Rains, Red River, Refugio, Robertson, Rockwall, Rusk, Sabine
St. Augustine, St. Hyacinth, St. Patrick, Shelby, Smith, Starr, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Wood, Zapata, Zavala.
How can I apply for replacement SNAP benefits?
To apply for replacement benefits, beneficiaries can dial 2-1-1 and select option 2. Download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit of Non-Receipt or Destruction of SNAP benefits). Mail the completed form to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at: PO Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027. You can also fax it to 877-447-2839.
Applicants must specify on the form the value of the food lost or destroyed, as well as the amount in benefits they receive per month.
According to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services, about 3.2 million Texans claimed SNAP benefits in the month of May 2024.
