Emergency Snap Benefits Again Extended

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is again extending emergency food benefits this month, with more than $307 million in emergency allocations expected to help more than 1.5 million Texas households.

“As Texans ring in the new year, this additional support will help families start 2022 with food on the table for themselves and their children,” said Wayne Salter, HHSC deputy executive commissioner.

The agency received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum allowable amount of benefits provided through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. That means recipients will receive at least $95 in emergency SNAP allotments by Jan. 31, in addition to their regular allotment.

Texans in need can apply for benefits at YourTexasBenefits.com.

Insurance Companies to Sue ERCOT

As the one-year anniversary of the winter storm that left millions without power approaches, more than 100 insurance companies are suing the state’s main power grid operator and a number of electricity providers, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Defendants are the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, as well as companies that supply power through ERCOT. The power failure caused more than $10 billion in property damage, primarily to residences.

The suit claims ERCOT “failed to adequately prepare for the 2020- 2021 winter season, and in fact, planned to fail,” noting that the agency had projected the state would end up in the highest state of emergency in the event of an extreme weather event, the Statesman reported.

ERCOT controls nearly all the state’s power grid.