Past Disaster Assistance Information

HHS can help you get ready for natural disasters with

texasready.gov

Hurricane Harvey Disaster Assistance

Texas Health and Human Services has mobilized to help Texans dig out from the damage Hurricane Harvey caused.

In addition to information about disaster benefits and offices opening, we'll provide helpful links to other groups and organizations offering aid and comfort.

Questions about Your Benefits?

If you have a question about your HHS benefits, such as SNAP food benefits, TANF, Medicaid or CHIP, dial 2-1-1 and select option 2. For other storm related services, including shelters for you and your pets, dial 2-1-1 and select option 5.

Crisis Counseling

Stress and other feelings following a natural disaster are common. The quicker you get help the better. HHS works with local partners under the Texans Recovering Together Crisis Counseling program to provide free, confidential counseling services and connect people to other services. Learn more:

Disaster SNAP Benefits (D-SNAP)

The application period for D-SNAP related to Hurricane Harvey is closed. If you need ongoing food assistance, you can apply for regular SNAP benefits. SNAP benefits provide a monthly benefit to eligible households to help people buy food and other eligible items they need for good health. You can apply for SNAP online at YourTexasBenefits.com. If you don't have access to a computer or mobile device, you can call 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905) and select Option 2 to find other options.

SNAP/WIC Benefits

  • If you live in 1 of the 39 federally declared disaster counties, you may have received extra SNAP food benefits for Aug. and Sept. These were added to your Lone Star Card in Sept.
  • If you enroll in D-SNAP and you are pregnant or have a child younger than five, you are also eligible for WIC. This allows you to get healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables, cereal, bread and milk, as well as breastfeeding assistance, infant formula and help from nutritionists and other sources. Visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678 for more information.
  • Households needing a replacement Lone Star card may call 800-777-7328 (toll-free) to have a card mailed.
  • If you live in an affected area and your renewal for SNAP was due in Aug., Sept. or Oct., your eligibility will be automatically extended 6 months.
  • SNAP food recipients can now use their benefits for hot foods and ready-to-eat foods, such as rotisserie chicken or grocery store deli foods, at retailers that accept SNAP. This will last until Oct. 31.
  • WIC participants who evacuated and lost or left behind WIC foods or formula already purchased can go to any open WIC clinic to get replacement food benefits. Visit TexasWIC.org or call 800-942-3678. If you are in an area affected by Harvey, press option 3 to speak with an operator from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. They will help you find an open location.
  • If you need breastfeeding assistance please call our lactation support hotline at 855-550-6667 for 24/7 support. If you are a new mom and formula-feeding your baby and are stranded without access to safe water, formula or both, lactation consultants can help you breastfeed.
  • If you need to find an open WIC clinic near you, visit this website.

Disaster Assistance Grants

The Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program and the Other Needs Assistance program can provide funding to help repair private or household property damaged in a major disaster. County Disaster Grant Payment Statistics are updated daily.

Medicaid/CHIP Clients

  • If you need a new main doctor, call your health plan for help. If you don't have your health plan's number, call 800-964-2777. You can find the doctors in your health plan's network here.
  • If you have a service authorization that expires on or before Nov. 30, you might be able to get an extension if you were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Talk to your provider or health plan to see if you qualify.
  • If you are on Medicaid or CHIP and live in a county declared a federal disaster, you can see out-of-network providers for emergency and non-emergency services, until the disaster declaration ends. Medicaid clients and legally authorized representatives can access Medicaid health records at yourtexasbenefits.com. Medicaid Card Questions and Answers.
  • HHS is waiving co-pays and enrollment fees for CHIP clients who live in a county declared a federal disaster because of Hurricane Harvey. Co-pays are waived for services received through Nov. 30. Click here to see a list of federally-declared disaster counties. CHIP clients who live in disaster counties are eligible, even if they've evacuated to another county.
  • If you live in an area affected by Hurricane Harvey and missed your hearing or have a hearing scheduled before Sept. 18 and can't participate, HHSC will automatically reschedule your hearing. If you were getting services pending the appeals process you will continue to get those services. If you have questions about your fair hearing, call Fair and Fraud Hearings Section at 512-231-5701, or fax 512-231-5743.
  • If you have a claim pending with the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program and were affected by Hurricane Harvey, you might be able to get deadlines extended for responses and material materials needed. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Call 800-641-9356 for more information.
  • If you forgot or lost your medicines or lost them during the evacuation, you can get them replaced if your pharmacist approves.
  • If you are on dialysis and need help finding a provider, call 866-407-ESRD for help.
  • Pregnant women, women and girls age 10 to 55, and men and boys 14 and older can get 1 bottle of mosquito repellent a month from a participating pharmacy if they are in the following programs:
    • Medicaid
    • Children's Health Insurance Program
    • CHIP-Perinatal
    • Healthy Texas Women
    • Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program
    • Family Planning Program

Other Links