Austin, Texas – After a strong winter storm created life hard for everyone in Texas recently, officials said that people who get food assistance were given more time to get help. The change allows households more time to recover from the food they lost because to cold temperatures and severe power disruptions.
Governor Greg Abbott said on Friday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission has gotten permission from the federal government to provide people who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments more time to apply for replacement benefits.
“By extending the replacement benefit deadline, Texans are better equipped to feed their families and recover from the effects of the freezing weather. I thank Texas Health and Human Services Commission and the Trump administration for their unwavering support of Texas families,” Abbot said.
State leaders stated that the decision shows that they continue to collaborate with the federal government to deal with the storm’s effects. Abbott said that the extra time is meant to help families who are still struggling with the effects of the bad weather, especially those who had prolonged power outages that destroyed food in the refrigerator or freezer.
Eligible SNAP participants now have until February 23, 2026, to ask for replacement benefits, thanks to the extension. Once an application is granted, the money will be put on Lone Star Cards within two business days. This means that help will be available very quickly.
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Health and Human Services officials pointed out that the hurricane made it hard for many families to make decisions as they tried to get their homes and finances back on track. Power outages and icy weather made it hard for families to get groceries and keep food fresh, especially in places where outages persisted for days.
People who get SNAP benefits must go to a local Health and Human Services office in person to ask for replacement benefits. Residents can find the closest office by going to the YourTexasBenefits website and clicking on the “Find an Office” link at the bottom of the page. Officials tell anyone who want to apply to do so as soon as possible instead of waiting until the last few days of the extension.
State authorities also told Texans that there are other possibilities available for disaster relief than SNAP. The Health and Human Services disaster assistance webpage has information on additional types of help. It lists the several types of support available to people who have been affected by emergencies.
Residents can call 2-1-1 and choose option 1 to get aid right away, such as getting to food pantries, shelters, or other community services. The hotline connects callers with local groups that can help them for a short time while they continue to recover.
Officials stated the new deadline is aimed to make sure that no eligible household goes without help because of timing issues. This is because communities across Texas are still recovering from one of the worst storms of the winter.
