The Food and Nutrition Service with the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced waivers for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for hot foods in Texas after severe flooding.
Effective immediately through August 7, 2025, authorized SNAP retailers located in 7 approved counties in Texas may accept SNAP benefits in exchange for hot foods and foods intended to be consumed on retailer premises.
The applicable counties are Kerr, Bandera, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kimble and Real.
The USDA said that hot foods purchased with SNAP benefits during this time are not subject to sales tax.
“We encourage all SNAP retailers in the approved counties to post a special notice in the store letting SNAP customers know that they can use their SNAP benefits to purchase hot foods and, where practical, may remain on the premises to consume those foods,” said the USDA in the release.
The announcement comes after a flash flooding to the Hill Country region over the holiday weekend.
NACS has long advocated for allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot food at convenience stores. NACS offers retailers SNAP resources and information which can be accessed here.