Victims of Hurricane Beryl in Texas who collect SNAP benefits are now eligible to collect replacement food stamps under certain conditions.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries who have suffered food losses due to Hurricane Beryl can now get replacement benefits, and they have been given an extension to apply. SNAP benefits can be replaced if food bought with electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards is destroyed due to power outages, flooding, property destruction and other impacts of natural disasters.
Normally, food purchased using SNAP benefits can only be replaced if the recipient applies within 10 days of the incident. But given the huge impact of Beryl on Texans, SNAP beneficiaries now have until August 8.
Hurricane Beryl barreled through the Lone Star State this week, causing extensive damage to properties and leaving millions without power. As of July 11, more than a million people were still without power, and according to Sky News, seven people are confirmed to have died in Texas after the Category 1 hurricane hit the state.
More From Newsweek Vault: Checking Account vs. Savings Account: Which is Best for Your Finances?
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has been overseeing the response on the ground as acting governor while Governor Greg Abbott takes part in an economic development tour of Asia.
Newsweek contacted the Texas Department of Health and Human Services for comment via email.
More From Newsweek Vault: Rates Are Still High for These High-Yield Savings Accounts
Which Counties Does the Extension Apply to?
The department has confirmed that 121 counties are eligible for the extension. They are:
- 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.
How Can I Claim Replacement SNAP Benefits?
To apply for a replacement, recipients can dial 2-1-1 and select Option 2. Download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). Mail the completed form to Texas Health and Human Services Commission at: P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027. It can also be faxed to 877-447-2839.
Applicants must specify on the form the value of the lost or destroyed groceries, as well as how much in benefits they receive per month.
According to Texas Department of Health and Human Services, around 3.2 million Texans claimed SNAP benefits as of May 2024.
About the writer
Aliss Higham is a Newsweek reporter based in Glasgow, Scotland. Her focus is reporting on issues across the U.S., including ... Read more
