WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has enacted a significant temporary measure to aid residents in parts of Texas affected by recent severe flooding. The Food and Nutrition Service, an agency of the USDA, has announced waivers permitting beneficiaries of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to utilize their benefits for the purchase of hot foods. This critical flexibility is being extended to residents across a total of seven Texas counties, designated due to the impact of the recent natural disaster.
The approved counties where this waiver is now in effect are Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real. These counties, located primarily within the state’s picturesque but recently inundated Hill Country region, bore the brunt of severe weather, including significant flash flooding that occurred over the recent holiday weekend. The flooding has disrupted daily life, potentially impacting residents’ access to cooking facilities and standard groceries.
Immediate Relief Through Expanded Food Access
The waiver is effective immediately, providing prompt assistance to those in need. According to the USDA’s announcement, this temporary authorization will remain in place through August 7, 2025. This extended duration acknowledges that recovery from severe flooding can be a prolonged process, and ensuring access to prepared food is vital for affected households.
The decision by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service comes as a direct response to the emergency conditions triggered by the severe flooding, including the flash flooding incidents observed in the Hill Country region over the recent holiday weekend. Such events can lead to power outages, damaged homes, and limited access to grocery stores, making it difficult for individuals and families to prepare meals at home.
Understanding the Waiver’s Provisions
Under the terms of this emergency waiver, authorized SNAP retailers operating within the designated counties – Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real – are now permitted to accept SNAP benefits for certain types of food items not typically eligible under standard program rules. Specifically, the waiver allows the purchase of hot foods and items explicitly intended for consumption on the premises where they are sold.
This includes prepared hot meals that are ready to eat, which can be particularly helpful for individuals who may be displaced from their homes, lack access to working kitchens, or face challenges in storing and preparing perishable goods in the aftermath of a flood. The ability to purchase hot food offers a more immediate and convenient source of sustenance during a period of crisis.
Sales Tax Exemption Applied
Adding further relief, the USDA has also confirmed that hot foods purchased using SNAP benefits under the authority of this specific waiver are explicitly exempt from sales tax. This measure ensures that the full value of a SNAP beneficiary’s assistance can be directed towards acquiring necessary food items without being diminished by state or local taxes.
This exemption is an important detail for both retailers and customers, simplifying transactions and maximizing the purchasing power of SNAP recipients during a time of heightened need. Retailers in the affected areas are advised to adjust their systems to accommodate this temporary sales tax exemption for qualifying SNAP purchases.
Guidance for Retailers and Customers
The USDA is actively encouraging retailers situated within the seven affected counties – Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real – to take proactive steps to inform their SNAP customers about this temporary flexibility. Signage, direct communication, and staff training can help ensure that beneficiaries are aware of their expanded purchasing options and can access the hot foods they may urgently require.
For residents in these counties utilizing SNAP benefits, this waiver represents a crucial lifeline. It acknowledges the extraordinary circumstances created by the flooding and provides a practical solution to immediate food needs. The ability to purchase prepared hot meals can alleviate some of the stress and difficulty faced by households recovering from disaster.
Broader Context of Disaster Assistance
This SNAP hot food waiver is part of a broader framework of disaster response and recovery efforts coordinated by federal and state agencies. Such waivers are typically granted by the USDA in areas that have received a federal disaster declaration or in circumstances where the President or a state Governor has declared a disaster, leading to significant disruptions that prevent affected residents from purchasing or preparing food at home.
By enabling the purchase of hot foods, the program adapts to the realities on the ground, where cooking facilities may be inaccessible, utilities disrupted, and refrigeration compromised. It supports local economies by directing aid through authorized retailers while ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to essential nutrition during a challenging period.
The USDA’s swift action underscores the importance of flexible and responsive aid programs in times of natural disaster. The waiver is set to remain in effect for an extended period, through August 7, 2025, providing sustained support to the communities in Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble, and Real counties as they navigate the recovery process from the recent severe flooding.
