SNAP Benefits Update – Extra Food Stamp payments in July and August

Weather patterns continue to wreak havoc in Texas, and amidst the efforts to rebuild, SNAP recipients will be able to replace some of the benefits lost due to Hurricane Beryl. After hitting the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Beryl reorganized into a Category 1 hurricane on July 8, making its final landfall near Matagorda, Texas.

The hurricane slowly weakened over land, accelerating northeast and eventually becoming post-tropical over Arkansas. The damage was severe, particularly in certain Texas counties, causing floods and significant property damage.

SNAP Benefit Replacement for Hurricane-Affected Residents

Due to the severe damage caused by Hurricane Beryl, SNAP recipients in Texas can claim replacement food vouchers this month.

Those who lost food due to the hurricane have been given an extended period to apply for replacements. Any food purchased with EBT cards that was destroyed because of power outages, flooding, property damage, or other disaster-related impacts is eligible for replacement.

Extended Deadline for SNAP Benefit Replacements

Typically, SNAP recipients have a 10-day window to request food benefit replacements after an incident. However, given the severity of Hurricane Beryl, this period has been extended to allow families time to properly evaluate their losses and access parts of their homes that may have been destroyed. Beneficiaries now have until August 8 to submit their replacement requests. Questions about the process can be directed to the nearest SNAP office or handled over the phone.

For those choosing the phone option, they must call 2-1-1 and select option 2 to begin the process. They must also download and complete Form H1855 (Affidavit for Non-receipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits). The completed form should be mailed to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at:

P.O. Box 149027
Austin, TX 78714-9027

Applicants must specify the value of the food lost or destroyed and the amount of benefits they receive monthly on the form to ensure an accurate replacement.

Eligibility for the Extended SNAP Benefit Replacement

Not every county in Texas was equally affected by Hurricane Beryl. Only residents in counties that suffered widespread losses are entitled to the replacement benefits and the extended claim period. Residents in 121 of the state’s 254 counties are eligible. These 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.

Residents outside these counties but still affected by the hurricane should contact their local office to see if they can get replacement benefits, even if the extension may not fully apply.

The extension for SNAP benefit replacements provides critical relief to Texas residents affected by Hurricane Beryl. With the new deadline of August 8, beneficiaries have additional time to assess their losses and apply for replacements. This initiative aims to mitigate the suffering caused by the hurricane, ensuring that affected residents have the support they need to recover.

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