After the severe floods that hit South Texas in July, Governor Greg Abbott has extended the deadline for residents to claim replacement SNAP benefits. The new cutoff is August 12, 2026, giving affected families more time to recover food assistance lost during the storms. This move comes as a relief to the roughly 1.2 million Texans who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps.
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) confirmed that funds will be loaded directly onto Lone Star cards for eligible households. The extension applies to 11 counties that were included in the federal disaster declaration, including Sutton, Zavala, Bandera, Blanco, Frio, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, Uvalde, and Val Verde. These counties span the central and southern parts of the state, where the flooding caused widespread damage to homes and food supplies.
How to claim your replacement benefits
If you lost food due to the floods, you can apply for replacement SNAP benefits by submitting a completed Formulario H1855. The form is available at local benefits offices, and you can find the nearest one using the official online locator tool, which lets you search by ZIP code, city, or county. For those who cannot travel, the form can be mailed to the HHSC office in Austin or sent by fax. The agency urges applicants to submit their paperwork before the August 12 deadline to ensure timely processing.
Once your application is approved, benefits are typically deposited within two business days. HHSC Executive Commissioner Stephanie Muth thanked federal partners at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their role in expanding the program's reach. “This collaboration is vital to ensuring that families in disaster-stricken areas can put food on the table,” Muth said in a statement.
The extension is part of a broader effort to strengthen food security in the region. The USDA's Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved the inclusion of Sutton County in the latest assistance package, and other counties were added as the disaster unfolded. State officials emphasize that the program is designed to alleviate the economic burden on thousands of families who are still recovering from the floods.
For those needing additional help, the HHSC operates a community rapid assistance hotline that can connect residents with food delivery services, temporary shelter, and other emergency resources. The hotline is staffed by trained professionals who can guide you through the process while your benefit deposit is being processed.
This extension is especially important for Latino families, who make up a significant portion of SNAP recipients in Texas. Many of these families live in the affected counties and have been disproportionately impacted by the floods. Community organizations are also stepping in to help with the application process, offering translation services and assistance with paperwork.
If you're unsure whether you qualify, check the HHSC website or call the hotline. The agency has also published a list of frequently asked questions to clarify eligibility criteria. Remember, the deadline is August 12, 2026, so don't wait.
For more information on how immigrants in Texas can access financial help through community networks, read our guide. And if you're dealing with other issues related to the floods, such as housing or utility assistance, local nonprofits and faith-based groups are often good first points of contact.
This extension is a lifeline for many, but it's also a reminder of the ongoing challenges that low-income families face in the aftermath of natural disasters. As the state continues to recover, officials say they will monitor the situation and may consider further extensions if needed.
