The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received federal approval to give Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in Bexar County more time to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed in recent storms, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Sept. 5.
The extension matters for households that lost refrigerated food during power outages and could otherwise have missed a 10-day reporting window. At the commission’s request, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Administration approved extending the deadline for reporting food loss from 10 days to 20, according to a Sept. 5 news release from the governor’s office. The commission posted the same announcement to its own newsroom.
SNAP recipients in Bexar County have until Sept. 17 to apply for replacement benefits, the release said. Funds should be added to Lone Star Cards within two business days of a request.
“As families across Texas recover from recent severe weather and flooding, it is critical that they have the support they need to rebuild,” said Abbott. “SNAP replacement benefits will help families replace food that was lost or destroyed as we deliver all available resources to affected Texans.”
“Recent storms and power outages have made it harder for many families in Bexar County to access healthy food,” HHS Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth said in the release. “We are grateful to our federal partners for their collaboration in making these replacement benefits available.”
Recipients can request a replacement by calling 2-1-1, selecting a language and then choosing option 7, or by visiting a local commission office. Offices can be located through the “Find an Office” link at the bottom of YourTexasBenefits.com, according to the release.
Clients of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children may also request replacement benefits for food purchased with September WIC benefits that was lost to power outages or storm damage. The release said WIC clients should contact their WIC office before Sept. 30 and can find a local office at TexasWIC.org.
State officials said Texans affected by any disaster can find more information on the commission’s disaster assistance webpage, and that dialing 2-1-1 and selecting option 1 connects callers with local resources such as food and shelter.