The state of Texas has one of the largest Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in the United States, and when extreme weather events occur, the so-called “D-SNAP,” or Disaster SNAP, are activated, offering emergency benefits to impacted families.
Devastating storms have turned the heart of Texas into a disaster zone. Between July 4 and 5, 2025, the remnants of Hurricane Barry dumped between 5 and 15 inches of rain on the Hill Country, triggering a flash flood emergency. The Guadalupe River swelled by up to 29 feet in hours, devastating communities in counties such as Kerr, Travis, and Kendall.
Texas storms and floods: Are There D-SNAP Benefits Available?
Governor Greg Abbott declared a state and federal disaster in 20 counties, requesting immediate intervention from FEMA. While teams assess the damage, survivors face a new challenge: accessing food assistance through programs like D-SNAP, which has not yet been formally activated.
Meanwhile, they are searching for missing people and those affected by the rains, and have already rescued nearly 1,000 people, who now need additional assistance to feed themselves during these difficult days.
Understanding the D-SNAP benefits, relief amidst disasters
The Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is a federal-state lifeline that provides temporary food assistance. Activation requires three steps:
- Presidential declaration of individual disaster.
- Issuance of Individual Assistance (IA) by FEMA.
- Formal request from Texas HHSC to the USDA (FNS).
Although Texas has already initiated the process of activating D-SNAP, approval has not yet been confirmed. If activated, it would benefit:
- Households without SNAP who experienced loss of food or expenses for repairs, shelter, or loss of income.
- SNAP recipients with amounts below the monthly maximum, affected by the disaster.
Who qualifies for SNAP benefits and D-SNAP
People eligible for regular SNAP benefits are:
Childless adults (18-52 years old) only receive three months of benefits every three years. Applications at YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 211 require an interview and proof of income, with a response time of 30 days (or 7 days in emergencies).
People eligible for D-SNAP benefits (when activated):
- Non-beneficiaries: Must reside in a declared area, prove direct impact (photos, receipts), and meet adjusted income criteria.
- Current recipients: Only if your SNAP funds are less than the monthly cap and you lost food purchased with those benefits.
Emergency benefits are typically activated for a full month, and once approved for a particular household, the money is sent to the beneficiary on their Lone Star Card (Electronic Benefits Transfer, EBT) within approximately 72 hours.
It’s recommended that you keep a close eye on official HHSC or FEMA statements, and when D-SNAP is activated, check the application requirements. Visit the designated sites in person to begin your application process.
