Ike Victims to get more food stamp benefits in October

AUSTIN – The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has received federal approval to increase the amount of emergency food stamps that many Ike victims will receive in October.

The new policy applies to low-income households eligible for food stamps in the 29 counties declared federal disaster areas after Hurricane Ike. It doesn’t change the income limits for the program, but it does provide eligible families with additional food stamp assistance in October.

HHSC has approved more than 130,000 applications for special disaster food stamps since Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coast. On average, these individuals and families received $226 in food stamps for October. The amounts range from a low of $14 to maximums that vary based on the size of the family. For instance, a family of four can get a maximum of $588 in food stamps per month.

“Our offices have been seeing many low-income families who aren’t currently receiving food stamps,” said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins. “In many cases, these families lost food because of power outages or flooding, and they’re also facing other financial pressures this month. This special disaster supplement will help them feed their families while they continue to rebuild and recover after Hurricane Ike.”

The amount of food stamps a family gets is based on income and household size, and the new policy doesn’t change the maximum benefits allowed for the program. That means that households already approved for the maximum allotment level in October aren’t eligible for additional food stamps. Other food stamp recipients in the 29 counties declared disaster areas will automatically receive higher food stamp allotments for October. This includes households approved for food stamps before Hurricane Ike.

The new policy is expected to increase food stamp benefits in October for more than 240,000 families, and the amount of the increase will vary according to the family’s size and income level. For example, a family of three with an income of $1,143 will receive $451 in food stamps in October – an increase of $331 over the standard allotment of $120. An individual with income of $870 in October will get $170 – an increase of $156 over the standard allotment of $14.

The new policy is being applied to all eligible food stamp cases in the disaster area. Food stamp recipients do not need to visit an office or reapply. They will begin receiving the supplements early next week when the amounts are added to their Lone Star Cards.

Food stamp cases approved for benefits on or after Sept. 26 were processed using the new policy, and those families were notified of the amount of their October benefits when their cases were approved. Individuals and families with cases approved before Sept. 26 who are eligible for the higher amounts will get a letter notifying them of the increase in their October food stamp benefits.