The Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, popularly known as SNAP, often referred to as food stamps, offers crucial support to low-income individuals and families across the state. Benefits are distributed electronically each month onto a Lone Star Card, which works like a debit card to buy eligible groceries.
If you’re a recipient, your specific deposit date in September 2025 is determined by the last two digits of your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. If you think you might qualify, you can apply via online at the official website YourTexasBenefits.com, which is the fastest and easiest method.
You can also apply in person at a your closest local HHSC office or by fax (yest, the state still accept this method). Texas generally processes applications within 30 days, but if you have an emergency situation like very little money or no food, you might qualify for expedited benefits processed within 7 days.
Upcoming SNAP benefits in Texas: Dates and more to know
The SNAP benefits payments in Texas are payments from the 1st to the 28th day, every month. For the first ten days of the month, the schedule is as follows:
- September 1: EDG numbers ending in 0
- September 3: EDG numbers ending in 1
- September 5: EDG numbers ending in 2
- September 6: EDG numbers ending in 3
- September 7: EDG numbers ending in 4
- September 9: EDG numbers ending in 5
- September 10: EDG numbers ending in 6
You can find your exact EDG number on your official SNAP award letter (Form TF0001) or by logging into your account at the aforementioned website. For the most precise date, always check there or call the helpline at 2-1-1 and select Option 2.
Who Qualifies to apply for SNAP in Texas?
The program is designed to help a wide range of Texans facing financial hardship. This includes:
- Low-income working families and individuals.
- Households with children.
- Seniors and people with disabilities.
- Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs), who must meet specific work requirements.
Other eligibility criteria that apply in Texas
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) also looks at your assets and applies certain deductions to your income. For most households, you can’t have over $3,000 in countable resources (like cash or money in a bank account), or $4,500 if someone in the home is 60 or older or has a disability.
Your benefit amount is calculated by taking the maximum allotment for your household size and subtracting 30% of your net income. Net income is your gross pay minus certain deductions, such as a standard deduction ($204 for households of 1-3 people), excess medical expenses for the elderly/disabled, or high shelter costs. Households with zero net income receive the maximum benefit.
Maximum SNAP eligible benefits in Texas
For the fiscal year running from October 2024 through September 2025, the maximum benefits are adjusted for cost of living. The amounts for households in Texas are:
- 1 person: $292
- 2 people: $536
- 3 people: $768
- 4 people: $975
- 5 people: $1,156
- 6 people: $1,390
- 7 people: $1,536
- 8 people: $1,756
- Each additional person: Add $220
There is a minimum monthly benefit of $23 for most eligible households. It’s important to remember that you can use your benefits to buy food like fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and even seeds to grow food. You cannot use SNAP to purchase alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, hot prepared foods, or any non-food items.
Additional resources for food stamps recipients in TX
Fantastic news from Texas! Starting September 1st, a powerful package of new laws goes into effect, marking a huge leap forward in the fight against hunger across the state. And this didn’t just happen by accident. It’s the result of an incredible collective effort by the Feeding Texas network and our partners, all united by the belief that no Texan should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.
Here’s what we accomplished, together:
Free school meals: It’s official! Texas is continuing to fund free breakfast programs and, in a truly brilliant move, has done away with the concept of “reduced-price lunches.” Now, every child who qualified for that will have access to completely free lunches. This is a game-changer for so many families.
“Food is Medicine” becomes reality: A revolutionary pilot program is launching. Medicaid will now be able to cover medically tailored meals and nutrition counseling for high-risk pregnant women. It’s such a smart, compassionate approach: using good food to prevent illness and build healthier lives.
Boosting SNAP’s power: The amazing Double Up Bucks program is getting a massive $6 million boost. How does it work? For every dollar you spend on fruits and veggies using SNAP benefits, the program matches it with another dollar for free. It’s a win for you, a win for local farmers, and a win for our community’s economy.
$300 million to modernize TIERS: The computer system (TIERS) that processes applications for crucial aid like SNAP and Medicaid is finally getting a complete modernization! This $300 million investment means fewer errors, shorter wait times, and a process that’s far less frustrating for people when they need help the most.
Direct support for food banks in Texas: Food banks are now exempt from paying state sales tax when they purchase or maintain their trucks and vans. This means every dollar saved can go straight into putting more food on the tables of our neighbors in need.
