SNAP registration assistance offered at Hays County Food Bank

Staff Reports

HAYS COUNTY— On Wednesday, March 24 the Hays County Food Bank announced they are offering registration assistance for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Hays County Food Bank wants families in need to have access to as many resources as they need. They have trained staff members who can help anyone who may qualify for SNAP. The registration process can be difficult to navigate, and food bank staff are here to help via phone and in-person appointments.

SNAP is the cornerstone of the Federal nutrition assistance safety net, serving as the first line of defense against hunger. SNAP provides much-needed nutrition support to millions of low-income people. Nearly half of them are children.

Millions of low-income people are not accessing the nutrition benefits for which they qualify. To be effective, it is important that our national and local outreach efforts counter myths about SNAP among those who think they are not eligible or have beliefs that discourage them from enrolling.

The Hays County Food Bank addressed many common misconceptions regarding SNAP, such as SNAP is not a welfare program, but a nutrition assistance program designed to help individuals and families buy nutritious food when money’s tight. Additionally, the average SNAP benefit per person is about $101 per month and individuals may work and still have income low enough to receive SNAP benefits.

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 signed by President Joseph R. Biden on March 11, 2021, extends increases to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) maximum allotments from July 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021.  The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, raised maximum allotments to 115 percent of the June 2020 value of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) from Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021. (USDA.gov)

Hays County Food Bank asks applicants to have the following documents on hand when they call or meet for your scheduled appointment:

• Drivers license or government-issued ID
• Proof of all income, including income from (jobs, SSI, SSDI, child support, and/or alimony etc.)
• Medical bills and/or doctor’s notes, including any that specify that you cannot work
• All bills (rent, utilities, gas, internet, phone, etc.)
• Proof of ownership (cars, houses, any property, etc.)
• Proof of any loans or outstanding debt
• Recent bank statement

Please call (512) 392-8300 x225 to set up your appointment. If you do not reach someone, please leave your name, phone number, and reason for calling. Staff will get back to you. Assistance in English and Spanish is offered.

You can also register for your appointment via the food bank’s online appointment calendar at http://bit.ly/SNAPreg. You must have a Google account in order to access this calendar.