Are you one of those affected by the Texas severe storms? In this article you will find how you can get a benefit after the consequences of tropical storm Barry in Kerr, Travis and Kendall County in Texas.
The Guadalupe River overflowed its banks and caused enormous damage. Governor Greg Abbott asked FEMA for help, and now thousands of families are waiting for support for something as basic as food.
That’s where D-SNAP, an emergency version of the SNAP program, comes in, which could be activated soon. The state, through Texas HHSC, has already applied to USDA and FNS for approval. If this happens, those affected will receive food assistance on their Lone Star Card. So, let’s see what you need to know and how to prepare to apply if you were affected by the storm.
What happened in Texas?
Between July 4 and 5 of 2025, Texas suffered the consequences from tropical storm Barry in the Hill Country region of Central Texas causing flash flooding. In a matter of hours, the Guadalupe River rose up to 9 meters, causing serious damages in communities in Kerr, Travis and Kendall.
Because of this, Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of disaster at the state and federal level in 20 counties, in order to activate emergency aid. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is already assessing the damage and has rescued nearly 1,000 people, who now face a new challenge: getting food and the basics to move forward.
Food assistance program
D-SNAP is like the emergency version of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), the program that helps low-income families with food. The difference is that D-SNAP is activated only when something serious happens, such as a natural disaster, and is intended to give a hand up to people who were directly affected. For it to be activated, three things have to happen:
- The president officially declares there was a disaster.
- FEMA approves individual aid for those affected.
- The state of Texas (through HHSC) asks the federal government (USDA) to approve D-SNAP.
So far, Texas has already asked to activate the D-SNAP, but it is not yet officially approved. So keep an eye out for further announcements if you belong to the affected people group.
Are you eligible for this aid?
As it happens with every benefit program, you need to match some requirements depending on your situation to be able to receive the D-SNAP. So, let’s have a look at them:
- People who do not normally receive SNAP: They must live in one of the counties that were declared a disaster. Also, they must be able to show that they were affected by the storm, for example, that they lost food, had extra expenses due to damage, or that their home was flooded or they had to seek shelter. And, of course, their income must be within the emergency income guidelines.
- People who already receive SNAP can receive D-SNAP if: The money they receive each month is less than the maximum allowed, and if they lost food they bought with those benefits because of the storm.
How you can apply for the D-SNAP
When they confirm that D-SNAP is active, they will announce where you can apply for it, such as local offices or special centers they set up for this.
When you go, you have to bring proof: photos, receipts or anything that shows the damage you suffered. If you are eligible to receive this aid, the money will arrive on your Lone Star electronic card (EBT) in about 3 days.
In the meantime…
You should pay attention to what the Texas HHSC (Health and Human Services Commission) and FEMA announce because they will be the ones telling you when D-SNAP is activated and explaining how and where to apply for it.
In case you want to be informed about the current situation, websites like YourTexasBenefits.com or calling 211, can guide you on what to do. Don’t hesitate to ask about any doubt you may have.
