When a major disaster strikes, the state of Texas may request to issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approves state requests to operate D-SNAP. Local grocery stores must be open and operating, and there must be a presidential disaster declaration for individual assistance for your area.

Once the program has been approved, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sets a limited period for you to file a D-SNAP application. If you qualify, you’ll get benefits for one month on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT works like a debit card at most grocery stores. 

You may qualify for D-SNAP benefits after a disaster in Texas if you:

• Do not get regular SNAP benefits. Current SNAP households may qualify for supplemental disaster or replacement benefits.
• Were living in the disaster area at the time of the disaster.
• Have at least one of these disaster-related effects or expenses:
  • Lost or no access to income;
  • Home or business repairs;
  • Temporary shelter or evacuation expenses;
  • Home or business protection expenses;
  • Cost to replace personal or household items;
  • Clean-up expenses;
  • Personal injury, including funeral expenses.

Your eligibility is based on your “disaster gross income” or simply your disaster income. When you apply for D-SNAP, a caseworker will calculate your disaster income. They add your take-home pay, unearned income (like Social Security payments), and liquid resources (like bank accounts and cash on hand).

The maximum disaster income limits are set each year at the federal level and are based on household size. Texas also adds a standard disaster-related expense deduction to the federal limits. With this, you may qualify even if your income is above the federal limits. 

To see the current limits for various household sizes visit the SNAP Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Information page.

For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.