AUSTIN. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced earlier this week that it received federal approval allowing Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to apply for compensation for food lost or destroyed due to recent severe winter weather by dialing 2 -1-1.
“Prolonged localized power outages may have ruined food for Texas families across the state during last week’s ice storm,” Gov. Greg Abbott said. “I thank HHSC that Texas residents affected by this winter weather can apply for replacement SNAP benefits so they can have fresh, healthy food on the table.”
“We hope the new SNAP benefits will help families in Texas who may have been affected by the recent winter storm. These benefits will help Texans replace the healthy and nutritious food that was lost due to power outages,” said Texas HHS Access and Compliance Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter.
SNAP recipients whose food was lost or destroyed due to last week’s winter storm must apply for food allowance reimbursement for regular SNAP allocations and SNAP emergency allocations. SNAP recipients in the counties below have until February 28 to apply for a replacement benefit:
Anderson, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Cherokee, Cox, Colleen, Comal, Concho, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Gillespie, Harris, Hayes, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Hunt, Irion, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Mason, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Navarro, Parker, Raines, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Smith, Sterling, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Van Zandt, Waller, Wichita, Williamson and Wood.
SNAP recipients who do not live in the counties listed above must request a replacement benefit within 10 days of discovering that their food was lost or destroyed due to a winter storm.
SNAP customers are encouraged to request food replacement benefits by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting option 2. Recipients can also download Form H1855 from the HHSC website. Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services; PO Box 149027; Austin, Texas; 78714-9027 or fax 1-877-447-2839. Replacement funds must be deposited on Lone Star cards within two business days of HHSC receiving the request.
SNAP is a federal program administered by HHSC that provides food assistance to approximately 1.6 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas. More information is available at hhs.texas.gov. Texas residents can dial 2-1-1 to inquire about programs and services. Contact us on social networks.
