Texas has been affected by a natural disaster again, and the citizens that have been affected, some of them SNAP recipients, will now be able to replace some of the benefits they lost. This sad and traumatic event comes in the wake of 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.
Eligibility for the Extended SNAP Benefit Replacement
Apparently, 18 counties met federal criteria for the mass replacement. While it may seem that the entire state was impacted, not every county experienced the same level of severity. Only those who suffered widespread losses are entitled to the 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
SNAP benefit replacement
The damage it caused was terrible, hitting some Texas counties particularly hard and resulting in floods and extensive damage to properties and homes. Due to the extensive damage brought about by Hurricane Beryl, residents of Texas who are recipients of SNAP benefits can now claim replacement food vouchers this month.
Those who lost food because of the hurricane have been granted an extended period to apply for replacements. 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.
If you are a SNAP recipient in Texas and have experienced food loss due to Hurricane Beryl, here’s what you need to know:
- Eligibility: All food bought with EBT cards that was destroyed due to disaster-related impacts is eligible for replacement.
- Application Period: An extended period has been granted for affected residents to apply for replacement benefits.
- How to Apply: Contact your local SNAP office or visit their official website for detailed instructions on the application process.*
*Visit their official website at: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disaster-assistance/receiving-disaster-assistance
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.
Remember, 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.
In light of the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl, there’s some crucial news for SNAP recipients. 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.
Extended Deadline for SNAP Benefit Replacements
Normally, SNAP recipients have a 10-day period to request replacements for their food benefits following an incident. However, due to the significant impact of Hurricane Beryl, this timeframe has been extended to provide families with the necessary time to properly assess their losses. Beneficiaries now have until August 8 to submit their replacement requests.
May you have any questions about the process, you can reach out to your nearest SNAP office or handle your inquiries over the phone.
How to Request SNAP Benefit Replacements
If you are opting to handle the process over the phone, follow these steps:
- 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
It’s important to take advantage of this extended deadline to ensure you receive the SNAP benefit replacements you need during this challenging time. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help if you need it.
When applying for the Extended SNAP Benefit Replacement, 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.
Form H1855 Completed? Discover Additional Documentation Needed for SNAP Replacement Benefits
The direct answer to the question is that the main form needed to apply for SNAP benefit replacements is Form H1855 (Affidavit for Non-receipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). No other specific forms or documentation are mentioned as being required in addition to Form H1855.
Key points to consider:
- SNAP recipients in 121 Texas counties affected by Hurricane Beryl can apply for replacement benefits for food bought with SNAP that the disaster destroyed.
- The usual 10-day window to request replacements has been extended to August 8, 2024 to give families more time.
- To apply, you can contact your local SNAP office, call 2-1-1 and select option 2, or visit the Texas Health and Human Services website for instructions.
- If applying by phone/mail, you need to download and complete Form H1855 and mail it to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
- On the form, it’s important to specify the value of the food lost/destroyed and your monthly benefit amount to ensure an accurate replacement.
Best practices:
- Make sure to submit the replacement request by the August 8 deadline if you are in one of the 121 eligible counties.
- Provide complete and accurate information on Form H1855, especially regarding the amount of food lost and your monthly benefits.
- Keep a copy of the completed Form H1855 for your records after submitting it.