Who Can Receive SNAP in Texas

To receive SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called food stamps) in Texas, you must meet income limits set by the federal government, be a U.S. citizen or may have access to immigrant, and live in Texas. Your household's gross monthly income must fall below a threshold that changes each year — for a single person, that limit is currently around $1,400 per month, and for a family of four, around $2,900 per month. These numbers shift annually in October.

You also cannot have more than $2,750 in countable resources (like a bank account) if your household includes an elderly or disabled person, or $1,850 if it does not. A car and your primary home do not count toward this limit. You must be willing to work if you are able, though some people are exempt from work requirements — including those over 60, people with disabilities, and parents caring for children under six.

Texas residents who are not citizens can still receive SNAP if they hold a may have access to immigrant status, which includes lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees. Undocumented immigrants cannot receive SNAP benefits.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household's gross monthly income must be below the federal limit, which varies by household size and changes each October.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or hold a may have access to immigrant status such as lawful permanent resident or refugee.
  • Countable resources (savings, checking accounts) cannot exceed $1,850 to $2,750 depending on whether your household includes an elderly or disabled person.
  • Texas uses an online portal called Your Benefits Now where you submit documents and track your case status after you file.
  • Processing typically takes 30 days, though expedited cases can be approved within seven days if you meet certain conditions.

Income Limits That Change Each Year

SNAP income limits are set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and adjusted every October 1st. The limit is based on your household's gross monthly income — that is, income before taxes are taken out. If even one person in your household earns more than the limit, your entire household may be denied, though some deductions apply.

For example, if you are a single person, your gross income must be below approximately $1,400 per month. A household of two must stay below roughly $1,900 per month. A family of four must stay below approximately $2,900 per month. These figures are current as of 2024 but will increase slightly in October 2025. You can confirm the exact current limits by calling the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at 1-877-541-7905 or visiting the HHSC website.

Certain deductions reduce your countable income: a standard deduction for all households, a deduction for dependent care costs, medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, and shelter costs (rent, mortgage, utilities). These deductions can lower your countable income enough to bring you under the limit even if your gross income exceeds it.

Documents You Need to Provide

When you file for SNAP in Texas, you will need to submit proof of identity, residency, income, and citizenship or immigration status. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission accepts documents through Your Benefits Now, the online portal where you file and track your case.

For identity, bring a driver's license, passport, or state ID. For residency, a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works. For income, provide recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns, or a letter from your employer stating your wage. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and business records. If you receive Social Security, unemployment, or other benefits, bring a benefit statement or award letter.

For citizenship or immigration status, U.S. citizens can provide a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers. may have access to immigrants must provide their green card, refugee or asylee documentation, or other proof of status. If you cannot locate original documents, you can request replacements from the issuing agency — the state vital records office for birth certificates, USCIS for immigration documents.

How to File Through Your Benefits Now

Texas processes all SNAP applications through Your Benefits Now, an online system you access at yourbenefitstexas.com. You create an account, fill out your household information, and upload documents directly. You do not mail anything or visit an office unless the program asks you to.

After you submit your application, the system sends you a confirmation number. You can log back in anytime to check your case status, upload additional documents if requested, and see your approval decision. The program typically processes cases within 30 days. If you meet certain conditions — such as having no income or very low income — you may be approved within seven days under the expedited process.

If the program denies your case or approves you for less than you expected, you receive a notice in Your Benefits Now explaining why. You have 90 days to request a hearing to dispute the decision. You can also call the HHSC at 1-877-541-7905 to ask questions about your case status or to get help using the online portal.

Work Requirements and Exemptions

Most SNAP recipients between ages 16 and 59 must work or participate in a work program at least 20 hours per week to keep their benefits. Texas calls this the ABAWD requirement (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents). If you do not meet this requirement, your benefits stop after three months in a 36-month period.

However, several groups are exempt from this rule. You do not have to work if you are over 60, have a disability, are pregnant, are caring for a child under six, are in school full-time, or are already working 30 or more hours per week. If you are exempt, you can receive SNAP without a work requirement. When you file, you will be asked whether you fall into one of these categories — answer honestly, as the program verifies some claims.

If you are subject to the work requirement but cannot find employment, Texas offers free job training and placement services through the Workforce Solutions network. You can find your local office at workforcesolutions.org. Participating in a work program counts toward the 20-hour requirement, even if you are not yet employed.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once approved, you receive a SNAP card — a debit card that works like a bank card at grocery stores and farmers markets. The card is mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days. Your benefits are loaded onto the card on the first business day of each month. The amount you receive depends on your household size and income; a single person with no income might receive around $250 per month, while a family of four might receive around $800 per month.

You can use your SNAP card to buy food — fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and other groceries. You cannot buy prepared foods, hot foods, alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or household items. Some stores have self-checkout machines where you can swipe your card; others require you to go through a cashier.

Your benefits are good for one year, after which you must recertify. Texas sends you a notice in Your Benefits Now about 60 days before your benefits end, reminding you to recertify. You log back into the portal, update your information, and upload new documents showing your current income and household situation. If you do not recertify by the deadline, your benefits stop.

Changes You Must Report

If your household situation changes — you get a job, lose a job, move, have a baby, or someone leaves your household — you must report the change to HHSC within 10 days. You report changes through Your Benefits Now by logging in and updating your case information. Some changes, like a job loss, may increase your benefits. Others, like a new job, may decrease them.

If you do not report a change and the program later discovers it, you may be asked to repay benefits you were not supposed to receive. This is called an overpayment. If you intentionally hide information to get more benefits, you could face fraud charges. It is always better to report changes promptly and honestly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

Deductions for dependent care, medical expenses, and shelter costs can lower your countable income below the limit even if your gross income exceeds it. Call HHSC at 1-877-541-7905 to discuss your specific situation, or file anyway — the program will calculate your deductions when it processes your case.

Can I file if I am homeless?

Yes. You do not need a permanent address to receive SNAP. When you file through Your Benefits Now, you can provide a shelter address, a friend's address, or a mailing address where you can receive your SNAP card. You will need to show residency in Texas through some other means, such as a shelter letter or utility bill in someone else's name at a Texas address.

How long does it take to get my first benefits?

Most cases are processed within 30 days. If you meet expedited criteria — such as having no income or very low income — you can receive benefits within seven days. Once approved, your SNAP card arrives within 7 to 10 business days, and your first month's benefits load on the first business day of the following month.

What if I was denied before — can I file again?

Yes. If your situation has changed — your income dropped, household size changed, or you now meet an exemption — you can file a new application. If nothing has changed, filing again will likely result in the same denial. If you were denied and disagree with the decision, you have 90 days to request a hearing to dispute it.

Do I have to report my immigration status if I am a citizen?

Yes. When you file, you must declare your citizenship status. U.S. citizens provide proof such as a birth certificate or passport. may have access to immigrants provide green cards or refugee documentation. The program verifies this information with federal databases, so provide accurate information.