Galveston County residents on SNAP who lost food during Tropical Storm Edouard have until Monday, Sept. 21, to request replacement benefits.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved doubling the reporting window from 10 days to 20 days, KPRC 2 reported. The extension covers 16 counties, including Galveston County, where Friendswood, Webster, Seabrook, Nassau Bay and Clear Lake Shores are located.
The extension applies to SNAP recipients who lost food because of storm-related power outages or flooding, according to HHSC. Replacement funds are expected to be added to Lone Star Cards within two business days of a request.
Edouard made landfall near Johnson Bayou, Louisiana, on Sept. 1 as a 60-mph tropical storm. Southeast Texas received 4 to 12 inches of rain in the following 24 hours. Galveston County was under a flood watch from 1 a.m. Sept. 1 through 7 a.m. Sept. 2. It was the third tropical system to hit the upper Texas Gulf Coast this season, following Tropical Storm Arthur in June and Tropical Storm Bertha in July.
How to apply
SNAP recipients can request replacement benefits two ways:
- By phone: Call 2-1-1, select a language and choose option 7.
- In person: Visit a local HHSC office. Locations are listed at YourTexasBenefits.com under "Find an Office."
WIC recipients
Women, Infants and Children (WIC) participants who lost September food benefits because of power outages or storm damage may also qualify for replacement benefits. WIC recipients should contact their local WIC office by Sept. 30. Office locations are available at TexasWIC.org.
General storm assistance
Anyone affected by Edouard can call 2-1-1 and select option 1 for information about local resources, including food and shelter.
The 15 other counties covered by the SNAP extension are Angelina, Hardin, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler.
