NEWS RELEASE

Texas Health and Human Services Commission

HHSC Provides Resources to Texans
Following Catastrophic Flooding

AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) continues to serve Texans impacted by the recent devastating flooding. HHSC is providing resources that include access to food and baby formula, mental health services and emergency grants for affected rural hospitals.

“Texans are resilient, and together we will overcome this devastation,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “From emergency hospital grants to mental health support to food to feed their families, the State of Texas continues to provide all available resources to help impacted Texans rebuild and recover. We will keep working hand-in-hand with residents, volunteers, and first responders until every Texan is back on their feet.”

“HHSC serves Texans. That is our goal and our mission,” HHS Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young said. “We will continue to provide the necessary services and resources to help our fellow Texans as they take the next step toward healing.”

SNAP Benefit Replacement

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in affected counties can apply for replacement benefits through Aug. 4 for food lost or destroyed by recent catastrophic floods.

Affected counties include Bandera, Bexar, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson.

SNAP recipients can request replacement food benefits by calling 2-1-1 and selecting option 7. Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits) on the HHSC website. 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.

SNAP Hot Foods

SNAP recipients in 33 counties impacted by recent flooding can purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals with their Lone Star Cards through Aug. 14. This includes Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Blanco, Brown, Burnet, Caldwell, Coke, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, Hays, Irion, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lampasas, Lee, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Milam, Mills, Real, Reagan, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Sterling, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson counties.

Hot foods include rotisserie chicken, grocery store deli items and other foods that are hot at the point of sale. No action is required by SNAP recipients to receive this additional benefit.

WIC Food and Formula Benefits Replacement

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during the floods through July 31.

WIC participants must visit a WIC office in person to receive updated benefits. To find a local office and make an appointment, visit TexasWIC.org.

Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line

HHSC has launched the Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line, a new statewide crisis support line to help affected Texans cope with loss and the recovery process. Survivors, families, first responders and others affected by the disaster can receive professional crisis counseling at no cost by calling 833-812-2480.

The crisis support line is available 24/7. All calls are confidential and answered by personnel specially trained to work with disaster survivors.

Other Needs Assistance

HHSC is distributing relief funds approved by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. Relief funds are provided through a grant and can be used for furniture and appliances, car repair or replacement, moving and storage, disaster-related medical and dental needs, funeral costs, child care and other miscellaneous expenses. People must apply for Other Needs Assistance through FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov. For more information, visit the HHSC website.

Emergency Hospital Grants

HHSC is awarding nearly $2 million in grant funding to hospitals in Kerrville and Llano impacted by recent floods. Peterson Regional Medical Center in Kerrville and Llano Regional Hospital will receive emergency hardship grants of $1.5 million and $396,600, respectively.

The grants will help both hospitals cover unplanned expenses related to the flood, including repairing structural damage, fixing equipment, providing staffing support and addressing operational issues.

Medicaid Prescription Refills

HHSC is allowing pharmacies to fill prescription refills early for people affected by the flooding who are enrolled in Medicaid, the Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program, and the Kidney Health Care Program.

Texans impacted by any disaster can visit the HHSC Receiving Disaster Assistance webpage for more information. To find local resources, such as food or shelter, dial 2-1-1 and select option 1.

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