SNAP Benefits Are Being Replaced, Here’s Why
Texans who lost food due to power outages in the most recent ice storm can apply for a special food replacement benefit.
The severe winter storm that caused widespread power outages in Texas last week also left thousands of residents without food. On February 8, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) issued a press release announcing federal approval to allow Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to apply for food replacement. SNAP benefits replacement funds should appear on Lone Star Cards within two days of HHSC receiving the request.
SNAP is a federal food assistance program administered in Texas by the HHSC and can be used to purchase food, seeds, and plants to grow food. The program provides benefits to around 1.6 million low-income families and individuals who are eligible to receive food assistance. According to HHSC, a family of four can earn up to $3,816 per month and still potentially qualify for SNAP benefits, but most recipients must meet certain work requirements first.
“Prolonged localized power outages may have spoiled food for Texas families across our state during last week’s ice storm,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “I thank HHSC for ensuring Texans impacted by this winter weather are able to apply for replacement SNAP benefits so that they can keep fresh, healthy food on the table.” One in nine Texas residents received SNAP benefits in 2021, with 79 percent of those being people in families with children.
The HHSC press release says storm-affected Texans who receive SNAP benefits must apply for replacement benefits for their regular SNAP allotments plus apply for SNAP emergency allotments. HHSC has provided more than $9.7 billion in additional benefits since the Families First Coronavirus Response Act was passed. February is the last month SNAP recipients can receive the Covid-related emergency allotments due to federal legislation passed by Congress.
The HHSC has created a webpage dedicated to receiving various types of assistance after the impact of the severe winter storm. It says that in some cases, recipients of SNAP benefits may be able to get benefits early or have benefits renewed automatically. Others may be able to buy hot foods with their Lone Star Card—something that SNAP usually doesn’t cover.
The Lone Star Card works like any other debit card you may use to buy food. It is loaded with SNAP benefits or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits, and users simply swipe it at checkout and enter their personal identification number (PIN). The amount of the purchase is removed from the Lone Star Card account and the benefits can carry over month-to-month for up to nine months after they are issued.
According to KXAN Austin, recipients of SNAP benefits in the following counties have until February 28 to request their storm-related benefit replacement: Anderson, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Cherokee, Coke, Collin, Comal, Concho, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Gillespie, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Hunt, Irion, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Mason, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Navarro, Parker, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Smith, Sterling, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Van Zandt, Waller, Wichita, Williamson, and Wood.
Recipients of SNAP benefits living in Texas counties not listed must request their benefit replacement within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed by the winter storm. Beneficiaries can dial 211 and select option two, or print and complete Form H1855. Mail completed forms to Texas Health and Human Services; P.O. Box 149027; Austin, TX; 78714-9027, or fax to 1-877-447-2839.
