Texas announces increase in SNAP benefits: How to claim it?

Severe storms, flooding and tornadoes have hit the state of Texas in recent weeks, affecting several residents, including low-income families, who may be able to receive extra financial help.

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, can apply for “replacement benefits” if, as a result of the storms, their food was lost.

Certain eligible beneficiaries in Texas can apply for such replacement benefits for the value of goods purchased using their SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. Here’s who is eligible and how to claim the money.

Increase in SNAP benefits in Texas: who is eligible and how to claim?

People who live in Austin, Chambers, Colorado, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties are eligible for replacement benefits if their food was lost or destroyed during storms.

Eligible SNAP recipients can apply for replacement benefits by phone, mail, or fax. Those who wish to apply by phone can dial 2-1-1 and select option two.

For anyone wishing to apply by mail, you must download an H1855 form and mail it to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027) or fax it to 877-447-2839.

Residents of those counties must apply for replacement benefits by June 17.

Those SNAP recipients who do not live in the counties listed above, but were affected by the storms, can also apply for replacement benefits, but must do so in person at a local office.

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SNAP benefits in Texas: how much is sent each month?

In Texas, the average payment for a member is $179 per month. The maximum amounts sent depend on household size, as well as other income factors and other requirements. The maximum amounts sent in the 48 contiguous United States, including Texas, are: