NEWS RELEASE
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
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Date: July 11, 2024
Contact: Emily Hummel
512-424-6951
[email protected]
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Cecile Erwin Young
HHS Executive Commissioner
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Acting Governor Patrick, HHSC Announce SNAP, WIC Replacement Benefits for Counties Impacted by Hurricane Beryl
AUSTIN – Acting Governor Dan Patrick today announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received federal approval allowing recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed from Hurricane Beryl. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is also replacing food and formula benefits lost during the hurricane.
"The recent storms have impacted many families across the state. By providing these replacement food benefits, we will offer relief to those who need our help the most," said Acting Governor Patrick. "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."
"Three million homes and businesses lost power with Hurricane Beryl’s impact, which caused people’s food to go bad, and many were forced to discard spoiled food because they had to evacuate. This loss was especially painful for families who rely on SNAP benefits," said HHSC Deputy Executive Commissioner of Access and Eligibility Services Molly Regan. "Replacement food benefits will relieve some of the challenges many Texans are currently facing."
To replace food lost or destroyed by the storms that began July 8, SNAP recipients must apply for replacement benefits that will be placed on their Lone Star Cards within two business days once benefits are approved.
SNAP recipients in 121 counties listed in Acting Governor Patrick’s disaster declarations must apply for replacement benefits by August 8. Affected counties are listed below. Beginning July 11, recipients can apply by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting Option 8.
Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or faxed to 877-447-2839.
Recipients who live in counties other than those listed below can apply for replacement benefits in person within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the recent storms. Individuals in those counties must go to a local benefits office to request replacement food benefits.
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.
Additionally, the WIC program, administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl through July 31, 2024. 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 go to the WIC office in order to replace food benefits. 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.”
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.
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.
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