They are applying for emergency food stamps. This line is long, hundreds of people long and many people slept here -- all for emergency food stamps.
Most of them are just like Mittie Drake.
"I am hoping we can get seen," Drake says, "and get some help today."
It's help thousands of families across our region need after Hurricane Ike hit. Their supplies are running low.
It hasn't been quite eight days since the hurricane. It just feels like it. And unfortunately, while so many will be helped here today, not all will qualify. That's because there is a weighted formula based on the federal poverty income limit, and officials have to factor all of that in.
Stephanie Goodman from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission shared information on the qualifications, and what families who do qualify will get:
QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMERGENCY FOOD STAMPS
FAMILY SIZE AND ESTIMATED INCOME THIS MONTH
2-- Max limit - $1925
4-- Max limit - $2915
6-- Max limit - $3905
8-- Max limit - $4895
10-Max limit - $5885
WHAT YOU GET IF QUALIFIED:
FAMILY SIZE AND DOLLAR AMOUNT
2-- $298 ($447)
4-- $542 ($813)
6-- $772 ($1158)
8-- $975 ($1462.50)
10--$1219 ($1828.50)
( ) = Due to end of the month, payments stretched out additional two weeks. That adds another half to the total.
For emergency food stamp benefits you can apply online at: www.yourtexasbenefits.com Or by calling 211, or by standing in line at Texas Health and Human Services at 2110 Telephone Road (not far from the Gulf Freeway)
