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Texas announces SNAP benefits boost for storm victims

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Texas announces SNAP benefits boost for storm victims


SNAP recipients in Texas are now eligible to collect replacement benefits following severe storms in the Lone Star State.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are issued monthly to low- and no-income households to help them buy groceries. Following a storms and tornadoes, eligible claimants in Texas can apply for replacement benefits up to the value of the goods purchased using their SNAP electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card.

Read more: Compare the Best Cash Back Debit Cards

Severe storms hit Texas beginning on Thursday, May 16, causing damage to property, flooding and downed trees, while leaving thousands without power. Four people are confirmed to have died as a result. According to a report by Reuters, more than 100,000 households and businesses are still without power.

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“Due to recent severe weather and flooding that devastated communities across our state, impacted Texans will be able to apply for SNAP replacement benefits for food that was lost or destroyed during these devastating storms,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “Eligible Texans can apply for these benefits by dialing 2-1-1. I thank the Texas Health and Human Services Commission for working with our federal partners to ensure Texans have the resources they need to recover and move forward from these storms.”

A file photo of a person carrying an empty grocery basket. Texans who get SNAP benefits can now apply to have the value of their lost or destroyed goods replaced.

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Who Can Get Replacement SNAP?

Those living in Austin, Chambers, Colorado, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, Polk, San Jacinto, Trinity, Walker and Waller counties are eligible to get replacement SNAP benefits if their groceries were lost or destroyed during the deadly storms.

Read more: The Best Free Checking Accounts

Recipients can apply by phone, mail or fax. Those wishing to apply by phone can dial 2-1-1 and select option two. For anyone wanting to apply by post, they should download a Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits) and either mail it to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027, or fax it to 877-447-2839.

Applicants must specify on the form the value of the lost or destroyed groceries, as well as how much in benefits they receive per month.

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When replacement SNAP benefits become available, there is usually a 10-day time limit on applying following the discovery of lost groceries. However, the U.S. Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has clarified that in this instance the time-limit has been waived.

Newsweek contacted the FNS via email outside of normal working hours for comment.

Any SNAP recipients who live outside of the specified counties but were still affected by last week’s storms can still apply for replacement benefits, but they must do this in person at a local benefits office. However, the 10-day time limit applies to anyone not in the listed areas.

If successful, claimants will receive their replacement funds on their Lone Star Cards within two days.

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Talarico, Paxton campaigning in Texas this week. See events

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Talarico, Paxton campaigning in Texas this week. See events


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The two candidates vying for the U.S. Senate seat in Texas are making stops across the Lone Star State this week.

Democrat James Talarico and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will head to South Texas as the two go head-to-head in the Nov. 3 General Election to replace U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas. Cornyn lost his reelection bid to Paxton in the Republican Primary Election.

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The campaign tour continues for Talarico after hosting townhalls in El Paso and Marfa as part of his “Frontera Tour,” while Paxton is holding a “Rally in the Valley” in McAllen.

Here’s where the candidates will be in Texas.

Paxton heads to McAllen for ‘Rally in the Valley’

Paxton is heading to McAllen for his “Rally in the Valley” event at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. He’ll be joined by National Border Security Council President Paul Perez, TX-28 Nominee Tano Tijerina, and TX-34 Nominee Eric Flores.

The all-ages event will take place at University Draft House Townlake McAllen, 100 West Business 83, and spots can be reserved at eventbrite.com.

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Talarico to visit Del Rio, Eagle Pass, Laredo

Talarico continues his “Frontera” tour with a stop in Del Rio on Monday, July 14.

“Gather with your family, friends, and neighbors to hear from James about taking his fight against Big Money and corruption to Washington. Together, we can win back power for working people in a system that’s rigged for the ultra-wealthy,” the event page states, adding that the program will be short and voters can greet Talarico after.

Here are the stops on Talarico’s “Frontera” tour:

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Monday, July 13:

  • 3 p.m. Memo’s Restaurant, 804 E Losoya St. in Del Rio
  • 7 p.m. International Center For Trade, 3295 Bob Rogers Drive in Eagle Pass

Tuesday, July 14:

  • 6 p.m. La Posada – San Agustin Ballroom, 1000 Zaragoza St. 107 in Laredo

Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.



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Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard

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Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard




Arrest made in death of North Texas teen Daniel Erving found in Lake Ray Hubbard – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth



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Texas leaders question federal handling of fatal ICE shooting

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Texas leaders question federal handling of fatal ICE shooting


HOUSTON, Texas — Houston-area leaders on Saturday expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of cooperation from federal authorities following the fatal shooting of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent.

The shooting happened on Tuesday during an immigration operation. Federal officials said an ICE agent shot and killed the 52-year-old after he allegedly rammed a law enforcement vehicle and refused verbal commands during a traffic stop.

Three men detained during the operation have disputed the federal account of what happened.

RELATED | Illegal immigrant killed by ICE agent in Houston was not intended target, lawmaker says

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Rep. Christian Menefee, D-Texas, criticized the federal government’s handling of the case, questioning its characterization of Salgado Araujo and the use of masked ICE agents and unmarked vehicles during enforcement operations.

RELATED | Family speaks out after fatal ICE shooting as Austin rally calls for transparency

SEIU Texas President Elsa Flores called for greater transparency and accountability, saying officials should ensure a similar incident does not happen again and that those responsible are held accountable.



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