Food Benefits After Disaster

The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program offers short-term food help to families in counties that receive a federal disaster declaration. It offers a one-time benefit to help people buy food when they return to their homes and have access to electricity and grocery stores. The amount of D-SNAP is equal to two months of the maximum amount of SNAP benefits, based on household size. Benefits are issued on an electronic benefit transfer card, called a Lone Star Card, which can be used to purchase food at any SNAP-authorized retailer, such as grocery stores or convenience stores. D-SNAP is only available for those who weren’t currently receiving regular SNAP benefits at the time of the disaster.

Source: Texas Department of Health and Human Services Disaster Food Benefits Key Points.

To apply: Call 877-541-7905, dial 2-1-1, or visit Your Texas Benefits.

Sometimes SNAP program recipients can use the Lone Star card to buy hot food (such as rotisserie chicken) and other prepared foods from the deli section of stores that accept the Lone Star Card.

FEMA, 800-621-3362 (emergency assistance)

State Bar of Texas, 800-504-7030 (referrals)

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, 833-329-8752 (legal help)

Legal Self-Help Tool for Disaster Survivors

Households with disaster losses whose SNAP benefits are less than the monthly maximum can request a supplement (S-SNAP). The supplement brings their benefits up to the maximum SNAP benefit allowed for their household size. This is to equalize D-SNAP households with SNAP households receiving disaster assistance.

If you lost your Lone Star Card because of Hurricane Harvey, find the closest open office by calling 2-1-1 and select option 2, or call the Lone Star Help Desk 800-777-7328 to have one mailed to you.

If you lost food you bought with SNAP because of Hurricane Harvey, you can have them replaced. Call 2-1-1 to find the nearest open office and complete Form H1855, Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed Food Stamp Benefits. Renew SNAP food benefits at Your Texas Benefits or call 2-1-1 and select option 2. For WIC replacement benefits, call 2-1-1 or 800-942-3678, or go to TexasWIC.org.

If you forgot or lost your medication, you can get it replaced if your pharmacist approves. If you are on dialysis and need help finding a provider, call 866.407.ESRD for help.

For a searchable list of food banks, soup kitchens, and non-profit organizations providing food assistance, go to Food Pantries.org.

Some food banks that serve more populous areas in Texas include:

• Houston Food Bank
• Galveston Food Bank
• Food Bank of the Golden Crescent (Victoria)
• Corpus Christi Food Bank
• Southeast Texas Food Bank (Beaumont)
• Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley (Pharr)
• Brazos Valley Food Bank (Bryan)
• Central Texas Food Bank (Austin)
• San Antonio Food Bank