Texas has one of the largest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the country. In times of extreme weather or natural disasters, the Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) program is activated to help those affected by these events.
Recently, the remnants of Hurricane Barry brought devastating storms to central Texas, leading to a flash flood emergency and triggering the potential activation of D-SNAP benefits.
Texas Storms and Floods: The Aftermath
Between July 4 and 5, 2025, Hurricane Barry’s remnants dumped between 5 to 15 inches of rain across Texas’ Hill Country, leading to widespread flooding in counties like Kerr, Travis, and Kendall. The Guadalupe River swelled by up to 29 feet in just a few hours, causing severe damage to local communities.
In response to the disaster, Governor Greg Abbott declared a state and federal disaster for 20 counties and requested immediate assistance from FEMA.
While recovery teams are working tirelessly to assess the damage and search for missing individuals, residents are facing difficulties accessing essential resources, including food. This is where D-SNAP could play a crucial role.
What Are D-SNAP Benefits?
D-SNAP, or Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a federally supported program that offers temporary food assistance to households affected by disasters. It provides quick relief to those who have experienced food loss or have extra costs for repairs, shelter, or income loss due to a disaster.
However, D-SNAP can only be activated once certain conditions are met:
Presidential Declaration of an individual disaster.
Issuance of Individual Assistance (IA) by FEMA.
Formal Request from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
While Texas has already begun the process of activating D-SNAP, approval is still pending. If activated, D-SNAP would provide food assistance to:
Households without SNAP benefits that experienced food loss or incurred expenses related to repairs, shelter, or loss of income.
Current SNAP recipients whose benefits are less than the monthly maximum and who lost food purchased with those benefits.
How to Qualify for SNAP and D-SNAP Benefits
Eligibility for Regular SNAP Benefits:
Childless adults (ages 18 to 52) can receive SNAP benefits for only three months every three years. To apply for regular SNAP benefits, individuals must:
Submit an application at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 211.
Complete an interview and provide proof of income.
Wait up to 30 days for approval (or 7 days in emergencies).
Eligibility for D-SNAP Benefits:
For D-SNAP benefits (when activated), the following individuals may qualify:
Non-beneficiaries:
Must reside in a disaster-declared area.
Need to provide evidence of direct impact (such as photos or receipts).
Must meet the adjusted income criteria.
Current SNAP recipients:
Are eligible only if their SNAP benefits are below the monthly cap and they lost food purchased with those benefits.
Once activated, emergency benefits are typically provided for one month, and if approved, the funds are sent to the beneficiary’s Lone Star Card (Electronic Benefits Transfer, or EBT) within 72 hours.
Keeping Updated and Applying for D-SNAP
As the situation in Texas continues to develop, it’s important for affected residents to stay updated on the status of D-SNAP activation.
Keep a close eye on announcements from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and FEMA. Once D-SNAP is activated, visit the designated sites or locations in person to start the application process.
By staying informed and following the application steps, residents can access the necessary support to help them recover during this difficult time.