WEATHER ALERT
Gov. Abbott extends SNAP Hot Foods, adds 7 additional counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl to eligibility list
Read full article: Gov. Abbott extends SNAP Hot Foods, adds 7 additional counties impacted by Hurricane Beryl to eligibility listGovernor Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received federal approval extending the time that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients impacted by Hurricane Beryl can purchase hot foods and ready-to-eat meals with their benefits until Sept. 15.
Governor Abbott announces federal SNAP benefits following storms
Read full article: Governor Abbott announces federal SNAP benefits following stormsTexas Governor Greg Abbott announced that residents across multiple counties in Texas have been approved for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
SNAP recipients affected by severe weather can apply for replacement benefits
Read full article: SNAP recipients affected by severe weather can apply for replacement benefitsTexas Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received federal approval allowing recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed in last week’s storms.
How to get reimbursed for food lost during a power outage without insurance
Read full article: How to get reimbursed for food lost during a power outage without insurance🚨 Attention 🚨 Did you lose all your food during a recent power outage and don't have insurance? We've got you covered! Check out our latest article on how you can get reimbursed for the food you lost, even without insurance. #PowerOutage #Reimbursement #FoodAssistance #HoustonStrong 💪🏼💡
Nearly 1.7 million Texans lose Medicaid as state nears end of “unwinding”
Read full article: Nearly 1.7 million Texans lose Medicaid as state nears end of “unwinding”Texas has booted the most people from Medicaid of any state in the country. A majority of those removed lost their health insurance coverage because of procedural reasons.
“How long can we keep this up?” Food banks are under pressure from Texas’ high level of food insecurity
Read full article: “How long can we keep this up?” Food banks are under pressure from Texas’ high level of food insecurityInflation, stagnant federal funding for food programs and high housing costs mean that demand at food banks still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Mississippi's capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor people
Read full article: Mississippi's capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor peopleThe manager of the long-troubled water system in Missisisppi’s capital city has proposed a slight rate increase.
‘An understaffed and broken system’: 900,000 Texans have lost Medicaid as others struggle to access SNAP benefits
Read full article: ‘An understaffed and broken system’: 900,000 Texans have lost Medicaid as others struggle to access SNAP benefitsTexas Democrats in Congress are urging the federal government to audit the state’s Medicaid eligibility system
How the looming government shutdown will affect Texans
Read full article: How the looming government shutdown will affect TexansA federal shutdown would put thousands of Texans in financial precarity. Congress has less than a week left until the end of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, and a shutdown appears imminent.
Delayed passage of farm bill stirs uncertainty for Texas agriculture
Read full article: Delayed passage of farm bill stirs uncertainty for Texas agricultureThe must-pass package of legislation known as the farm bill, which is renewed every five years, funds critical crop insurance and loans to farmers and food to low-income families.
With new federal food stamp limits coming, advocates mobilize to inform Texas recipients
Read full article: With new federal food stamp limits coming, advocates mobilize to inform Texas recipientsA requirement to work 80 hours a month, starting in September, could affect 44,000 Texans over age 49. Meanwhile, attention in Congress shifts to the farm bill’s significant impact on food stamp policy.
Gov. Abbott announces approval for SNAP benefit replacements in multiple Texas counties due to severe weather
Read full article: Gov. Abbott announces approval for SNAP benefit replacements in multiple Texas counties due to severe weatherSupplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in a dozen Texas counties can apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed in severe storms occurring June 14-16, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday.
Texas lowers barrier for food stamps, but many still won’t qualify
Read full article: Texas lowers barrier for food stamps, but many still won’t qualifyA new state law increases what SNAP applicants’ vehicles can be worth before they’re disqualified for federal food assistance. But most states don’t take car values into consideration at all.
Debt deal imposes new work requirements for food aid and that frustrates many Democrats
Read full article: Debt deal imposes new work requirements for food aid and that frustrates many DemocratsDemocrats are deeply conflicted about the food aid requirements that President Joe Biden negotiated as part of the debt ceiling deal.
SNAP ‘skimming’ victims can now get benefits reimbursed: Here’s how
Read full article: SNAP ‘skimming’ victims can now get benefits reimbursed: Here’s howTexas Health and Human Services Commission announced Wednesday that it will replace the stolen Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for several families.
Changes to food aid in debt bill would cost money, far from savings GOP envisioned
Read full article: Changes to food aid in debt bill would cost money, far from savings GOP envisionedA Republican attempt to expand work requirements for federal food aid in debt legislation moving through Congress would increase federal spending by $2.1 billion over 10 years.
More Texans would qualify for food stamps under a bill heading to Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: More Texans would qualify for food stamps under a bill heading to Gov. Greg AbbottThe value of a household’s vehicles disqualified nearly 55,000 people seeking federal food assistance in 2022. House Bill 1287 increases the threshold of car values that lead to SNAP applicants being denied aid.
Texas cotton farmers leading the charge for more government insurance to cover climate, inflation challenges
Read full article: Texas cotton farmers leading the charge for more government insurance to cover climate, inflation challengesThe federal Farm Bill is must-pass legislation that Congress debates every five years. It includes billions of dollars in farm subsidies and pays for food assistance programs.
New work requirements for federal aid? GOP pushes proposals in debt talks
Read full article: New work requirements for federal aid? GOP pushes proposals in debt talksWork requirements for federal aid programs have emerged as a sticking point in ongoing negotiations over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, and President Joe Biden has signaled openness to a possible compromise even as many in his party have balked.
SNAP recipients will see a cut in food benefits starting this month
Read full article: SNAP recipients will see a cut in food benefits starting this monthDuring the pandemic, Texans received extra money on their Lone Star cards through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. That extra money ends this month.
“I love my babies. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy”: One mother’s struggle to survive in pro-life Texas
Read full article: “I love my babies. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy”: One mother’s struggle to survive in pro-life TexasPregnancy forced Destiny Williams to quit her job. She almost died during childbirth. Now with a newborn in tow, she’s struggling to build a more stable life for her and her children.
Another round: Emergency SNAP benefits extended for January
Read full article: Another round: Emergency SNAP benefits extended for JanuaryGovernor Greg Abbott announced Thursday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is providing more than $344.1 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of January. The allotments are expected to help about 1.6 million Texas households.
Gov. Abbott announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits for December
Read full article: Gov. Abbott announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits for DecemberGov. Greg Abbott announced Friday the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide more than $341.4 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of December.
Gov. Abbott, HHSC announce extension of emergency SNAP benefits for September
Read full article: Gov. Abbott, HHSC announce extension of emergency SNAP benefits for SeptemberGovernor Greg Abbott announced Friday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is providing more than $344.9 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of September. The allotments are expected to help about 1.6 million Texas households.
Emergency SNAP benefits extended for Texans through June
Read full article: Emergency SNAP benefits extended for Texans through JuneThe Texas Health and Human Services Commission is extending emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of June in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Wednesday.
Emergency SNAP benefits for March 2021 extended: Here’s what families need to know
Read full article: Emergency SNAP benefits for March 2021 extended: Here’s what families need to knowHHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. The emergency March allotments are in addition to the more than $2.5 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans since April 2020. AdAdministered by HHSC, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.6 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits. “Providing emergency SNAP benefits is critical to our state’s ongoing COVID-19 response because it ensures that Texas families can continue to put healthy meals on the table,” said Governor Abbott.
Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden’s executive order
Read full article: Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden’s executive orderTexas families receiving pandemic-era federal food assistance for students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals will soon see a 15% increase in their benefits. That additional aid is one of three food access issues President Joe Biden addressed in an executive order last week. Out of all 50 states, Texas registered the fourth highest rate of food scarcity in the last week. However, SNAP benefits remain widely recognized as one of the best ways to stimulate the economy during a crisis. A recent analysis from the USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates that $1.54 in economic activity results from every federal dollar spent on SNAP benefits.
Emergency SNAP benefits: $204M additional funds going out to Texans
Read full article: Emergency SNAP benefits: $204M additional funds going out to TexansHOUSTON – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $204 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, food benefits for the month of December as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency December allotments are in addition to the almost $1.7 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans between April and November. HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits. “The extension of these emergency SNAP benefits ensures that Texans can continue to provide nutritious food for their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Texas Gov.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, Nov. 6
Read full article: 5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, Nov. 6Here are things to know for Friday, Nov. 6:1. Who voted for Trump? Here’s how the vote broke across Houston and TexasVoters in Texas turned out in huge numbers during the election. “I thank our partners at the USDA for extending these emergency benefits for the month of November.”Read more. Plans for 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announcedThe Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced its plans for the 2021 livestock show Thursday. Freeport police Chief Ray Garivey swore in Abigail, who was battling Wilms tumor -- a form of kidney cancer.
Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits for November 2020
Read full article: Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits for November 2020Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will provide approximately $202 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of November as the state continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of September
Read full article: Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of SeptemberGeg Abbott announced the extension of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of September on Monday. Abbott said the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $188 million in emergency SNAP food benefits as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funding was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. “Texas will continue to ensure access to nutritious meals as we mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Abbott said. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
Ask 2: Was the $285 grocery benefit for school-aged children also extended?
Read full article: Ask 2: Was the $285 grocery benefit for school-aged children also extended?As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. Question: Are SNAP benefits also being extended to August for P-EBT cardholders? Answer: No, the Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT) remains a one-time benefit of $285 for families with school-aged children who have temporarily lost access to free or reduced-price school meals because of closures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the deadline to apply for P-EBT has been extended to Aug. 21, according to a press release from the Office of the Texas Governor. Families who receive SNAP benefits do not need to apply as they will automatically receive the funds on their current Lone Star Card.
Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of August
Read full article: Gov. Abbott extends emergency SNAP food benefits for month of AugustGeg Abbott announced the extension of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of August on Thursday. Abbott said the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $185 million in emergency SNAP food benefits as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal funding was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. “By extending this emergency SNAP funding, the State of Texas is helping to ensure families can continue to put food on the table,” Abbott said. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, July 3
Read full article: 5 things for Houstonians to know for Friday, July 3Greg Abbott signed an executive order Thursday requiring all Texans to wear masks or face coverings in public places and in businesses. There are few exceptions to the order that came as Texas continues to see swelling coronavirus numbers. While Abbott signed the order Thursday afternoon, it is set to go into effect at noon on Friday, July 3. Texas announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits amid COVID-19 pandemicGov. U.S. Army Specialist Aaron Robinson, 20, who officials say committed suicide earlier this week, is accused of killing Guillen.
Texas announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits amid COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Texas announces extension of emergency SNAP benefits amid COVID-19 pandemicGreg Abbott announced Thursday the state will provide $182 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for the month of July, as the state continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. “The extension of these emergency SNAP benefits helps ensure that Texans can provide nutritious food for their families as the state continues to combat COVID-19,” said Abbott. The emergency July allotments are in addition to the $628 million in benefits previously provided to Texans in April, May and June. “We’ll continue to make sure Texans can access the services they need as this situation evolves.”Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
Texas families filing for SNAP food assistance almost doubled in April
Read full article: Texas families filing for SNAP food assistance almost doubled in AprilSince the week ending March 14, just shy of 2.1 million Texans have filed for unemployment benefits, more than in all of 2019. Food policy advocates are still pushing for the state to remove asset restrictions that disqualify most families who own a car valued at more than $15,000 from getting SNAP, Cooper said. Pandemic-EBT benefits were paid out through Lone Star Cards — the card SNAP families use for groceries — to hasten distribution. SNAP families with eligible children were automatically enrolled in the program and should have all gotten their benefits as of Thursday, Cooper said. Families that don’t have SNAP benefits can apply for Pandemic-EBT in June, Cooper said.
SNAP benefits now available for families whose children qualify for free and reduced-cost school meals
Read full article: SNAP benefits now available for families whose children qualify for free and reduced-cost school mealsThe U.S. Department of Agriculture gave Texas the go-ahead Monday to distribute emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to families with children eligible for free and reduced-cost school meals, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, announced in a statement. The program — known as Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer — is meant to replace the meals children would normally get at school. About two-thirds of Texas schoolchildren are eligible for free and reduced-cost meals at school, Cornyn said. Families who already receive SNAP should see that amount show up on their account automatically. Those who don’t have SNAP benefits should get a Pandemic-EBT card, which works like a debit card, in the mail after submitting their application, Cooper said.
Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefits
Read full article: Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefitsAUSTIN, Texas – Texas Health and Human Services will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to help people in the state during the COVID-19 response, Gov. HHS got federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum allowable number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, according to a news release. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is included. “SNAP, commonly referred to as the food stamp program, supplements the budget of the working poor. "The additional food subsidy announced today by Governor Abbott, although still supplemental, will help fill a portion of the financial gap created by the economic crisis resulting from this pandemic.
Federal judge blocks Trump rule that could have cut food stamps for nearly 700,000 people amid coronavirus
Read full article: Federal judge blocks Trump rule that could have cut food stamps for nearly 700,000 people amid coronavirus(CNN) -- A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration federal rule from going into effect next month that could have seen nearly 700,000 people lose access to food stamps, noting in part a need for flexibility as state and federal officials work to address nutritional needs during the coronavirus pandemic. In an order handed down Friday, the Howell granted a preliminary injunction and a stay on portions of a federal rule from the US Department of Agriculture. The final USDA rule was expected to take effect on April 1. Howell called aspects of the USDA rule "likely unlawful because they are arbitrary and capricious." The rule is one of three Trump administration efforts to overhaul SNAP and tighten the rules governing who qualifies for aid.