Texas will provide emergency food stamps to Hurricane Ike victims who qualify, Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins announced today.
The commission received a federal waiver to assist low-income residents and families living in any of the 29 counties declared disaster areas.
Eligible Texans can receive up to two months of food stamp benefits by calling 2-1-1 or applying at any HHSC benefits office by Oct. 17. A family of four earning as much as $2,915 a month may qualify for assistance.
Applicants must provide identification and proof of residence, such as a drivers license, and answer questions about household income and resources.
Current food stamp recipients living in the disaster area will get replacement benefits. HHSC automatically will replace a portion of September benefits, a step that is expected to help more than 500,000 people in areas where power outages or flooding are likely to have damaged or destroyed food supplies.
Food stamp benefits are placed on a Lone Star card, which recipients use like a credit or debit card to purchase groceries. Recipients in the disaster area do not need to visit an HHSC office for the replacement benefits. They automatically will be placed on their Lone Star cards later this week, HHSC said.
The federal government also granted permission for hurricane victims to use food stamps to purchase hot, ready-to-eat foods, items that normally are not allowed under federal rules.
Texans can find the locations of HHSC benefits offices by calling 2-1-1 or visiting www.hhsc.state.tx.us. They are encouraged to call 2-1-1 or the office number to verify that the office has power and is operating.
HHSC also is working to establish alternate office locations, which will be posted on the HHSC Web site.
The federal waiver applies to the following counties: Angelina, Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Cherokee, Fort Bend, Galveston, Grimes, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Matagorda, Montgomery, Nacogdoches, Newton, Orange, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Trinity, Tyler, Walker, Waller and Washington.
clay.robison@chron.com
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2 comments:
ike.onlineshirtstore.com
So my husband usually makes way more than the limit and we don't even ask for any kind of assistance. But now, he hasn't worked since the hurricane and the gas for the generator is costing us a fortune. We are running out of water and food. I am planning to visit a POD in the morning for some help. Oh and I have three kids. Again, we never ask for help but we are getting deeper and deeper into debt with this hurricane. I do not believe we qualify for FEMA and now again, we won't qualify for these emergency food stamps. Is there anything else out there to help us? We won't get a good paycheck for the next couple of weeks and we still don't have power, and was told that the power would be on in about 10 more days. So far gas alone has cost us $300. Add 10 more days and you will see all our bills going past due this coming up month. Again, anyone know of anything we can do?
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