HHSC offers food, baby formula, and medical resources for flood-impacted Texans
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is offering resources to those impacted by the Fourth of July weekend flood, including access to food, baby formula, early Medicaid prescription refills, and mental health services.
HHSC is also providing emergency grants for affected rural hospitals, including Llano Regional Hospital, which will receive $396,500, according to a July 21 media release from the commission. The money can be used to cover any unplanned expenses related to the flood, such as repairing structural damage, fixing equipment, providing staffing support, and addressing operational issues.
“HHSC serves Texans. That is our goal and our mission,” said Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Cecile Erwin Young in the media release. “We will continue to provide the necessary services and resources to help our fellow Texans as they take the next step toward healing.”
THOSE SERVICES INCLUDE:
SNAP Benefit Replacement
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in affected counties (see below) can apply for replacement benefits through Aug. 4 for food lost or destroyed by recent catastrophic floods.
Affected areas include Burnet and Llano counties as well as Bandera, Bexar, Caldwell, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties.
SNAP recipients can request replacement food benefits by calling 2-1-1 and selecting option 7. Recipients can also download Form H1855 (Affidavit for Nonreceipt or Destroyed SNAP Benefits) on the HHSC website. Completed forms should be mailed to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149027, Austin, TX, 78714-9027 or faxed to 877-447-2839.
SNAP Hot Foods
SNAP recipients in 33 flood-impacted counties can purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals with their Lone Star Cards through Aug. 14. These areas include Blanco, Burnet, Lampasas, and Llano counties as well as Bandera, Bastrop, Bell, Brown, Caldwell, Coke, Concho, Edwards, Gillespie, Hays, Irion, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Lee, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Milam, Mills, Real, Reagan, Runnels, San Saba, Schleicher, Sterling, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties.
Foods include rotisserie chicken, grocery store deli items, and other foods that are hot at the point of sale. No action is required by SNAP recipients to receive this additional benefit.
WIC Food and Formula Benefits Replacement
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), administered by HHSC, is replacing food and formula benefits lost during the floods through July 31.
WIC participants must visit a WIC office in person to receive updated benefits. To find a local office and make an appointment, visit TexasWIC.org.
Medicaid Prescription Refills
HHSC is allowing pharmacies to fill prescription refills early for people affected by the flooding who are enrolled in Medicaid, the Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program, and the Kidney Health Care Program.
Texans impacted by any disaster can visit the HHSC Receiving Disaster Assistance webpage for more information. To find local resources, such as food or shelter, dial 2-1-1 and select option 1.
Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line
HHSC has launched the Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line, a new statewide crisis support line to help affected Texans cope with loss and the recovery process. Survivors, families, first responders, and others affected by the disaster can receive professional crisis counseling at no cost by calling 833-812-2480.
The crisis support line is available 24/7. All calls are confidential and answered by personnel specially trained to work with disaster survivors.
Other Needs Assistance
HHSC is distributing relief funds approved by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Other Needs Assistance (ONA) program. Relief funds are provided through a grant and can be used for furniture and appliances, car repair or replacement, moving and storage, disaster-related medical and dental needs, funeral costs, child care, and other miscellaneous expenses. People must apply for Other Needs Assistance through FEMA at DisasterAssistance.gov. For more information, visit the HHSC website.