By Lorenzo Salinas

l.v.salinas@panews.com

 

Lines of Southeast Texans formed inside one of the outlets in Central Mall Wednesday as they waited to apply for DSNAP.

DSNAP, or Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is a benefits service offered by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) for those in need of food assistance. It aids families recovering from disasters such as Harvey.

“My house was completely destroyed,” Jason Miles of Beaumont said. Miles said he felt the response from HHS was well timed.

“It took about two weeks for the storm and all its aftermath to pass,” he said. “A lot of folks just weren’t ready yet… I think it’s timely enough.”

Miles said he had never used food stamps before, but found this instance to be an exception. He called the D-SNAP program helpful.

Steve Jackson of Groves said he thought the program could have come a bit sooner, but was otherwise pleased with the results. He thought it would help him after dealing with 18 inches of water that had invaded his house during Harvey.

Overall, the application process seemed to be well run and was moving at a brisk pace, at least according to two women who had applied and qualified for D-SNAP benefits.

“We got in at 9:30 and got out after an hour and a half,” Pamela Jones of Nederland said.

“It went so fast; they’re so organized,” Beverly Jones of Port Arthur said.

Beverly praised the efforts of HHS.

“They’re doing all they can,” she said. “It’s much better than what it was with (Hurricane) Ike.”

Pamela described the application process as one where many people were allowed to apply at once and then find out if they qualified for food assistance benefits.

“It’s a one-time thing,” she said. “You write down X amount of dollars that you lost (during Harvey) for things like food and gas used for evacuation. You estimate what you lost.”

Beverly was quick to thank FEMA, the Red Cross and HHS for their relief efforts and humanitarian aid.

“We’re pulling it together,” she said. “We’re going to make Port Arthur great again.”

To be eligible and apply for DSNAP, one must be from a county that has been declared a federal disaster area; have experienced a loss of income, the destruction of one’s home or other disaster-related expense and not have been receiving regular SNAP food benefits at the time of the disaster.

In addition, one must meet certain income limits as detailed on the HHS site.

Applicants should carry their driver’s license or other government-issued ID with them. Those wishing to seek benefits must apply in person.

If one is approved, the benefits are loaded on a Lone Star Card within three days of applying. According to the HHS website, the loaded card would hold the amount equal to two months of the maximum amount of SNAP benefits depending on one’s household size.

Application for D-SNAP started in Jefferson County Monday, and will run through Oct. 8. Locations such as those at Central Mall and at the Ford Park Complex in Beaumont will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Applicants will need to apply on certain days depending on the first letter of their last names.

On Thursday, anyone with a last name beginning with N through R may apply. On Friday, anyone with a last name beginning with S through Z may apply and over the weekend, anyone can apply.

The HHS website, https://hhs.texas.gov, has more details.