HOUSTON – As food prices remain high, many families rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP, to help pay for groceries.
The program is administered in Texas by Texas Health and Human Services, which sets eligibility rules and benefit amounts based on household circumstances.
Who qualifies for SNAP in Texas
SNAP eligibility is based primarily on household income, household size, and certain work requirements.
For income, Texas uses monthly household income limits that increase with each additional person in the household. For a single-person household, the maximum monthly income to qualify is $2,152. For each additional household member, Texas adds $757 to that limit.
Texas defines a SNAP household as people who live together and buy and prepare food together. Not everyone living at the same address is automatically considered part of the same household.
For example, roommates who buy and prepare food separately may apply separately, while spouses and parents with children are typically counted together.
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Work requirements
Most SNAP recipients must meet work-related rules.
According to Texas Health and Human Services, most people ages 16 to 59 must be working, looking for work, or participating in an approved job or training program to continue receiving benefits.
In addition, most adults ages 18 to 65 who do not have children under 14 in the home can generally receive SNAP benefits for only three months within a three-year period unless they are working or participating in a job or training program for at least 20 hours per week.
Some individuals are exempt from these requirements, including people with disabilities and caregivers for young children.
How much assistance SNAP provides
The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives depends on household size and circumstances.
In Texas, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit is $298 for one person, with $218 added for each additional household member.
Actual benefit amounts may be lower depending on household income and allowable expenses.
What SNAP benefits can buy
SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food meant to be prepared and eaten at home, including fruits, vegetables, meat, bread, dairy products, and seeds or plants that produce food.
SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy hot prepared foods, alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, or non-food items such as paper goods or pet food.
How to apply
SNAP applications in Texas are handled through Texas Health and Human Services. Many applicants can apply online, and eligibility is determined based on household-specific information.
More information about SNAP eligibility, benefits, and how to apply is available on the Texas Health and Human Services website.