SNAP recipients have more time to replace food lost in last July’s flooding

Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that Texas has received federal approval to extend the deadline for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to request replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed during July's severe weather and flooding.

SNAP recipients now have until Aug. 12 to apply for replacement benefits.

Officials say approved funds are expected to be added to recipients' Lone Star Cards within two business days after a request is received.

The extension applies to Bandera County, which was among the first counties approved for replacement benefits following the flooding. Sutton and Zavala counties have since been added to the assistance area, joining Bandera, Blanco, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Uvalde and Val Verde counties.

'Texas will provide all available resources to help families recover from recent severe weather and severe flooding across our state,' Abbott said in a news release. 'Through this expansion of SNAP replacement benefits, we will ensure that affected Texans across Central and South Texas have access to the essential food support they need to recover and rebuild.'

Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth said the agency appreciates federal approval to expand the program.

'We are grateful to our federal partners for their collaboration in making these replacement benefits available to more Texans impacted by the flooding in July,' Muth said.

Recipients may request replacement benefits by visiting a local Texas Health and Human Services office. Office locations can be found at www.YourTexas-Benefits.com by selecting 'Find an Office' at the bottom of the page.

People who cannot visit an office because of age, disability or distance may complete Form H1855 and mail it to Texas Health and Human Services, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX 78714-9027, or fax it to 877-447-2839.

Additional disaster assistance information is available at www.hhs.texas.gov, and Texans seeking local resources such as food or shelter may call 2-1-1 and select Option 1.