AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received federal approval to allow SNAP recipients in several East Texas counties to apply for replacement benefits for food lost during the winter storm last week.
Those needing to apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) replacement should dial 211.
“Prolonged localized power outages may have spoiled food for Texas families across our state during last week’s ice storm,” said Gov. 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.”
SNAP recipients in the following East Texas-area counties can request a benefit replacement until Feb. 28: Anderson, Cherokee, Franklin, Freestone, Henderson, Hopkins, Hunt, Leon, Rains, Red River, Smith, Van Zandt and Wood, according to HHSC.
The SNAP recipients not living in the listed counties will have to request benefit replacement within 10 days of finding their food lost or destroyed because of winter storm.
“We hope that the replacement SNAP benefits will help Texas families who may have been impacted by the recent winter weather storm. These benefits will help Texans replace healthy and nutritious food that was lost due to power outages,” said Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter.
In addition to dialing 211 and selecting option 2, SNAP recipients can also download Form H1855 on the HHSC website. The completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services; P.O. Box 149027; Austin, TX; 78714-9027, or faxed to 1-877-447-2839.
Replacement SNAP funds should be put on Lone Star Cards within two business days of HHSC receiving the request, the state health commission said.