SNAP recipients in 11 Central and South Texas counties who lost food during July’s severe weather and flooding now have more time to seek replacement benefits. The new deadline is next Wednesday, giving affected households a few extra days to replace groceries ruined by flood damage or related power loss.
The extension announced Monday moves the deadline to Aug. 12, according to KABB. The update also expands eligibility beyond the nine counties previously approved for the relief.
Eleven Texas Counties Are Now Covered
Sutton and Zavala counties were added to the assistance list, joining Bandera, Blanco, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Uvalde and Val Verde counties. KABB reported that the USDA Food and Nutrition Service approved the broader list after Texas Health and Human Services Commission requested additional time and coverage.
The change builds on an earlier announcement from the Office of the Texas Governor, which had set an Aug. 3 deadline for recipients in the original nine counties. Replacement benefits are intended to cover food purchased with SNAP that was lost or destroyed during the flooding.
How To Request Replacement SNAP Benefits
Eligible recipients should visit a local HHSC office to request a replacement. The governor’s office says households can use the office locator at YourTexasBenefits.com, while people unable to visit because of age, disability or distance can submit Form H1855 by mail to Texas Health and Human Services, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027, or by fax at 877-447-2839.
Replacement funds should be added to Lone Star Cards within two business days after HHSC receives the request. Additional disaster information is available through Texas HHSC’s disaster assistance page, and residents seeking food or shelter resources can call 2-1-1 and select option 1.
The state has used similar deadline extensions after weather emergencies, including the winter storm response covered in an earlier Texas SNAP extension. This time, the relief is tied specifically to July flooding and is available only to eligible SNAP households in the 11 counties listed above.
