In recent weeks, severe storms and tornadoes have hit the beautiful state of Texas, one of those with the largest population of SNAP recipients in the country. These inclement weather conditions left tens of thousands without electricity for hours and even days. Power outages can lead to the loss of food that is frozen or in the refrigerator, and that was the case for many low-income families who need food stamps to make ends meet.
That’s why Governor Greg Abbott announced that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP benefits), formerly known as food stamps, can apply for replacement benefits if they lost their food because of the storms, as we just mentioned. Although, the loss of electricity is not the only reason why food can be lost. Other causes may be exposure to water or flooding from heavy rains or from the action of the wind during a tornado.
Certain qualifying beneficiaries in Texas can request that their benefits be replaced, as long as they can prove how much the lost benefits are worth and that they were purchased with their Lone Star Card, the name given to the SNAP EBT card in the state of Texas.
How to Apply for Replacement of SNAP Benefits Lost Due to Storms
The first thing you should determine is whether your county is within the qualifiers for having been affected by the storms. These counties are: Austin, Chambers, Colorado, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker, and Waller. However, if you are a resident of another county that is not on this list, and you were also impacted by the same storms in recent weeks, you can submit your application, but you must do it in person at your local office.
Then, you must download the H1855 form from the official website of the Texas SNAP program and mail it to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (PO Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027) or fax it to 877-447-2839. The deadline to apply for replacement SNAP benefits is June 17.
2024 SNAP Benefit Maximum: How Much Will My Family Receive?
In the great state of Texas, the average payment per member is about $179, but the maximum for a single individual is $291. For a typical family, for example, of two adults and two children (that is, four members in total), the maximum payment they can opt for is $973 per month.
This is the list of the values for households made up of one to eight people and how much is given to each household member:
- 1 member: $291
- 2 members: $535
- 3 members: $766
- 4 members: $973
- 5 members: $1,155
- 6 members: $1,386
- 7 members: $1,532
- 8 members: $1,751
- Additional Member: +$219
Remember that these are only maximum values, and it does not necessarily mean that you are going to get them. Qualifying for these amounts depends on several factors, such as the family’s resources and income, as well as their housing situation.
As of March 2024, there were over 3.7 million food stamps beneficiaries in the state of Texas: that’s around 12% of the state’s population. If you want to apply for this financial aid, you can check the website of the Texas Department of Human Services (https://www.hhs.texas.gov/) or communicate with them directly by phone.
