USDA Puts D-SNAP in Place in Texas

Texans recovering from Hurricane Harvey could be eligible for disaster food benefits from the USDA’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the availability of Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) announced today by the USDA and Texas Health and Human Services Commission.Households that might not be eligible under regular SNAP rules may qualify for D-SNAP if they meet the disaster income limits and have qualifying disaster-related expenses, USDA said.D-SNAP eligible households in the affected areas will receive two months of benefits, equivalent to the maximum amount of benefits normally issued to a SNAP household of their size, to meet their food needs as they settle back home following the disaster, USDA detailed. Texas Health and Human Services Commission will announce D-SNAP dates, and locations through the local media.D-SNAP timing varies with the circumstances of each disaster, USDA said, but always begins after commercial channels of food distribution have been restored and families are able to purchase food to prepare at home. Before operating a D-SNAP, a state must ensure that proper public information, staffing and resources are in place.