Families in Texas who rely on food assistance often use more than one program at the same time — because no single benefit covers everything.

With the 2025 government shutdown now underway, struggling families in the Houston area are left to wonder how nutrition programs will be impacted by a potential lapse in funding.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) received federal approval allowing recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed in last week’s storms.

The federal program that helps pay for groceries for millions of low-income mothers, babies and young kids will emphasize more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because of supply disruptions and a massive safety recall by manufacturer Abbott.