SNAP Recipients Have More Time to Report Winter Storm Food Losses

DALLAS – Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in 67 counties who were affected by the severe winter weather in February will have additional time to report their food loss because of power outages due to the storm. Concho Valley Counties in the extension include Coke, Concho, Irion, Kerr, Llano, Mason, and Sterling counties.  

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved a waiver for the Texas Human and Health Services Commission’s (HHSC) to give SNAP recipient families until Feb. 28, 2023, to report their loss of food purchased with SNAP benefits. This waives the standard 10-day requirement for SNAP recipients to report to their benefit loss due to household misfortune. 

Additionally, the waiver allows HHSC the ability to accept the statement of food loss affidavit and signature over the telephone. SNAP recipients can do so by dialing 2-1-1 and selecting option 2. Recipients can also download Form H1855 on the HHSC website. Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services; P.O. Box 149027; Austin, TX; 78714-9027, or faxed to 1-877-447-2839. 

The waiver applies to residents of the following 67 counties: Anderson, Austin, Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Brazoria, Brooks, Burleson, Burnet, Caldwell, Cameron, Cherokee, Coke, Collin, Comal, Concho, Coryell, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Fort Bend, Franklin, Freestone, Gillespie, Harris, Hays, Henderson, Hidalgo, Hill, Hopkins, Hunt, Irion, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lamar, Lee, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Mason, McLennan, Milam, Montgomery, Navarro, Parker, Rains, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, Smith, Sterling, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Van Zandt, Waller, Wichita, Williamson and Wood.

USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is ready to consider additional waivers that may be needed to help families. FNS leverages its 15 nutrition assistance programs to ensure that children, low-income individuals, and families have opportunities for a better future through equitable access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food, while building a more resilient food system. Under the leadership of Secretary Tom Vilsack, FNS is fighting to end food and nutrition insecurity for all through programs such as SNAP, school meals, and WIC. FNS also provides science-based nutrition recommendations through the co-development of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. To learn more, visit www.fns.usda.gov and follow @USDANutrition.