Texans who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and were affected by Hurricane Beryl can now apply to have food they lost in the storm replaced.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Texans who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and were affected by Hurricane Beryl can now apply to have food they lost in the storm replaced.
According to acting Gov. Dan Patrick, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received federal approval Thursday that allows SNAP recipients 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, according to the announcement.
Only people in the 121 counties listed in Patrick's disaster declarations (listed below) can apply for the replacement benefits and must do so by August 8. The replacement benefits will be placed on their Lone Star Cards within two business days once approved.
Beryl made landfall Monday around 4 a.m. near Matagorda, Texas, as a Category 1 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. Beryl was later downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved north/northeast through the state.
The storm left flooding and wind damage in its path, and at least six people have died in Texas because of it. At one point, nearly three million homes and businesses were without power, according to reporting from the Associated Press.
SNAP recipients can apply by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting Option 8, or by mail by downloading 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 not listed in the declarations must apply for replacement benefits in person at a local benefits office within 10 days of discovering their food was lost or destroyed due to the storm.
WIC is also replacing food and formula benefits lost during Hurricane Beryl through July 31. 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 apply in person at a WIC office. WIC also offers 24/7 breastfeeding assistance through its lactation support hotline: 855-550-6667.
"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."
The affected counties include the following:
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.
