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Acting Gov. Dan Patrick announced today that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received federal approval allowing recipients of SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed due to Hurricane Beryl.
Recipients of WIC — the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — can also apply for food and formula benefits lost due to the hurricane.
"The recent storms have impacted many families across the state,” Patrick said. “By providing these replacement food benefits, we will offer relief to those who need our help the most. As we continue our recovery process, it is vital that SNAP and WIC recipients have access to these benefits to continue to feed their families."
To replace food lost or destroyed by the storms that began July 8, SNAP recipients in the 121 counties listed in Patrick’s disaster declarations must apply for replacement benefits by Aug. 8. Replacement benefits will be placed on Lone Star Cards within two business days once benefits are approved. Affected counties are listed at the end of this article.
People in the affected counties can apply by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting Option 8. They can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Completed forms must be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or faxed 877-447-2839.
Recipients who live in counties not listed in the declarations must apply for replacement benefits in person at a local benefits office within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms.
"Three million homes and businesses lost power with Hurricane Beryl’s impact, which caused people’s food to go bad," said Molly Regan, HHSC deputy executive commissioner of Access and Eligibility Services. "This loss was especially painful for families who rely on SNAP benefits. Replacement food benefits will relieve some of the challenges many are facing."
Additionally, WIC, through July 31, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl. Families can visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and select Option 3 to speak with an operator who will help find an open WIC location. WIC participants will need to apply in person at a WIC office. WIC also offers 24/7 breastfeeding assistance through its lactation support hotline: 855-550-6667.
“Many WIC recipients have been impacted by Hurricane Beryl,” said Rob Ries, HHSC deputy executive commissioner for Family Health Services. “Texas WIC and local WIC offices are here to help meet their food, formula and breastfeeding needs as quickly as possible.”
Affected counties:
Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bexar, Bell, 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, San Augustine, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Shelby, Smith, Starr, Titus, Travis, Trinity, Tyler, Upshur, Uvalde, Van Zandt, Victoria, Walker, Waller, Washington, Webb, Wharton, Willacy, Williamson, Wilson, Wood, Zapata and Zavala.
Any Texan in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or can use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits. To find local resources, such as food or shelter, dial 2-1-1 and select Option 1.
HHSC is also providing crisis counseling for Texans affected by this disaster through local mental health authorities. To locate a local mental health authority, visit the Where Can I Find Services page.