Deadline Approaching for SNAP Benefit Replacement for Some Food Stamp Recipients

Texas has been hit by another natural disaster, and many citizens, including some SNAP recipients, will now be able to replace the benefits they lost. This tragic event follows the recent storm, Hurricane Beryl.

After initially hitting the Gulf of Mexico, the storm reorganized into a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, just before making its final landfall near Matagorda, Texas. As Hurricane Beryl moved over land, it gradually weakened while accelerating to the northeast, ultimately becoming post-tropical over Arkansas.

SNAP Benefit Replacement

The damage caused by Hurricane Beryl was significant, hitting some Texas counties particularly hard and resulting in floods and extensive damage to properties and homes. Due to the extensive damage, Texas residents who are recipients of SNAP benefits can now claim replacement food vouchers this month.

Eligibility

All food purchased with EBT cards that was destroyed due to power outages, flooding, property damage, or other disaster-related impacts is eligible for replacement. This includes food lost due to the effects of Hurricane Beryl.

Application Period

An extended period has been granted for affected residents to apply for replacement benefits. Normally, SNAP recipients have a 10-day period to request replacements for their food benefits following an incident. However, due to Hurricane Beryl, this timeframe has been extended to provide families with the necessary time to assess their losses properly. Beneficiaries now have until August 8 to submit their replacement requests.

How to Apply

If you are a SNAP recipient in Texas and have experienced food loss due to Hurricane Beryl, here’s what you need to do:

1. Contact Your Local SNAP Office: Visit or call your local SNAP office for detailed instructions on the application process.
2. Online Application: Visit the official website at Texas Health and Human Services Disaster Assistance for more information.
3. Phone Application:
   • Call 2-1-1 and select option 2 to begin the process.
   • Download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit for Non-receipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits).
   • Mail the completed form to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027.

When applying, it is crucial to specify the value of the food lost or destroyed and the amount of benefits you receive monthly on the form. This ensures the replacement will be as accurate as possible.

Extended Deadline

In light of the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, the usual 10-day window to request food benefit replacements has been extended. This extension ensures that families have ample time to evaluate their losses and access areas of their homes that may have been destroyed.

Counties Eligible

While the entire state of Texas felt the impact of Hurricane Beryl, not every county experienced the same level of severity. Only those who suffered widespread losses are entitled to replacement benefits and the extension to claim them. Texans in 121 counties out of the 254 in the state should be aware of their eligibility. The eligible counties include:

Anderson, Angelina, Aransas, Atascosa, Austin, Bastrop, Bee, Bell, Bexar, 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, Zavala.

Impact and Recovery

The devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl has left many Texas communities struggling to rebuild. The floods and severe damage to properties and homes have had a profound impact on the lives of residents. By providing replacement food vouchers to those affected, the state aims to offer some relief and support as they work to recover from this natural disaster.

If you are a SNAP recipient affected by Hurricane Beryl, you have options to replace your lost benefits. Take advantage of the support available to help you through this challenging time. Reach out to your local SNAP office or handle your inquiries over the phone to ensure you receive the SNAP benefit replacements you need during this challenging time.

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