'Disaster SNAP' open to people affected by Hurricane Harvey

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The state of Texas is offering short-term food assistance to families who were affected by Hurricane Harvey.

Under the Disaster SNAP program, people can receive benefits when they return to their homes and have access to power and grocery stores after a disaster. The amount of the food allowance depends on household size and is equal to two months of the maximum amount of SNAP benefits.

The amount will be loaded onto a Lone Star Card.

There are certain requirements to be eligible for the help. You must have experienced a loss of income, destruction of your home or a disaster-related expense, such as temporary shelter or home repairs.

You must not have been getting regular SNAP food benefits. You must meet certain income limits, which you can find at the Texas Health and Human Services website.

And you must be from a county that was declared a federal disaster area.

The program requires you to apply in person only at a designated D-SNAP location within your county, and you must bring government issued identification.

For now, counties with smaller populations have designated locations open. Bigger population counties, like Harris County, will have locations open in the coming days, according to Health and Human Services.

You can get information on applying at the Texas HHS website.

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