SNAP recipients in the state of Texas are now eligible to receive their food stamp replacements after severe storms hit the southern state. The benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP Benefits and formerly as food stamps, are distributed monthly through the EBT Lone Star Card to millions of low-income families throughout the state.
A qualifying household can receive up to $1,751 for those with eight members if they qualify and meet the requirements. On May 16, severe storms and tornadoes hit the Lone Star state, causing damage to homes and properties, flooding and falling trees on public roads and private properties, leaving tens of thousands of people without electricity. So far, the state has confirmed four people have died due to these inclement weather conditions.
Thousands Affected By Recent Storms in Texas
According to a report by state authorities, more than 100,000 people and businesses are still without electricity or with intermittent power outages. These power outages can cause perishable and refrigerated foods that have been purchased with SNAP benefit funds to be lost and need to be replaced to prevent families from falling into risk of hunger.
“Due to the recent severe storms and flooding that devastated communities across our state, affected Texans will be able to apply for SNAP replacement benefits for food that was lost or destroyed during these devastating storms,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Eligible Texans can apply for these benefits by calling 2-1-1. I am grateful to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for working with our federal partners to ensure Texans have the resources they need to recover and move forward after these storms.”
Who Qualifies for SNAP Benefits Replacement in Texas?
To replace lost food that has been purchased with food stamps, beneficiaries must prove that these were actually lost due to the storms of May 16. If approved, the replacement benefits will be placed on your Lone Star Card EBT cards within two business days once the application is approved.
SNAP recipients in Austin, Chambers, Colorado, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties must apply for replacement benefits by June 17. To submit the application, beneficiaries can dial 2-1-1 and select Option 2.
Beneficiaries can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit of SNAP Benefits Not Received or Destroyed). Completed forms should be mailed to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or faxed to 877-447-2839.
Those listed above can apply for replacement benefits in person within 10 days of discovering that their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms. People in those counties should go to a local benefits office to apply for replacement food benefits.
WIC Beneficiaries Will Also Be Able to Replace Their Lost Benefits
Another program that works in the state of Texas, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), is also included in this initiative to replace funds lost due to the aforementioned storm.
Beneficiaries of this other program have until May 31 to apply for replacement benefits. This program is designed to buy food and formulas for infants and children in the early stages of their lives.
Families can visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, and select Option 3 to speak with an operator who will help them find an open location. WIC also offers 24/7 lactation assistance through its lactation support hotline: 855-550-6667.
