In Texas, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are allocated throughout a 15-day window, commencing on the 1st day of each month. The precise disbursement date is selected following the final digit of your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.
For individuals granted SNAP eligibility prior to June 1, 2020, the payment timetable for September 2023 falls within the period spanning from September 1st to September 15th. There is a second group of food stamps beneficiaries that fall into a different payment schedule. This separation into groups is done because these individuals have a different numbering in their cases, starting at 00 and finishing at 99.
SNAP payment dates in Texas, according to your group
As we said before, if you are in the first mentioned SNAP group, your payment dates are between September 1st and 15th, depending on your EDG number. So, if your number is 1, then your payment date is September 1, and if your EDG number is 5, then the date on which you will receive the transfer on your Electronic Benefits Transfer card (EBT) will be September 5. And so on until September 15, when this period closes.
On September 16, the second round of payments begins for people in the second group, which runs until the 28th. The schedule for these beneficiaries is as follows (last 2 digits and corresponding date):
00-03 September 16 (Sat)- 04-06 September 17 (Sun)
- 07-10 September 18 (Mon)
- 11-13 September 19 (Tue)
- 14-17 September 20 (Wed)
- 18-20 September 21 (Thu)
- 21-24 September 22 (Fri)
- 25-27 September 23 (Sat)
- 28-31 September 24 (Sun)
- 32-34 September 25 (Mon)
- 35-38 September 26 (Tue)
- 39-41 September 27 (Wed)
- 42-45 September 28 (Thu)
- 46-49 September 27 (Wed)
- 50-53 September 28 (Thu)
- 54-57 September 16 (Sat)
- 58-60 September 17 (Sun)
- 61-64 September 18 (Mon)
- 65-67 September 19 (Tue)
- 68-71 September 20 (Wed)
- 72-74 September 21 (Thu)
- 75-78 September 22 (Fri)
- 79-81 September 23 (Sat)
- 82-85 September 24 (Sun)
- 86-88 September 25 (Mon)
- 89-92 September 26 (Tue)
- 93-95 September 27 (Wed)
- 96-99 September 28 (Thu)
Who determines the payment dates for SNAP beneficiaries in Texas?
In Texas, the payment dates for SNAP beneficiaries are determined by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). The payment schedule is based on the last digit of the beneficiary’s Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.
SNAP benefits are typically distributed over the first 15 days of each month. Specifically, if a beneficiary was approved for SNAP before June 1, 2020, their benefits will be issued between the 1st and the 15th of the month. If they were approved after June 1, 2020, the benefits will be issued between the 16th and the 28th of the month.
The EDG number is assigned when a beneficiary first qualifies for SNAP. The last digit of this number determines the day of the month on which the benefits will be deposited into the beneficiary’s account.
However, it’s important to note that these dates are tentative and subject to change due to factors such as weekends or holidays. If a beneficiary’s deposit date falls on a weekend or a holiday, they may receive their benefits either the Friday before or the Monday after the scheduled date.
Who is eligible for SNAP benefits in Texas?
In Texas, eligibility for SNAP benefits are determined following the federal guidelines. To qualify for SNAP benefits in Texas, individuals and households must meet specific income and resource requirements set by the program. First, your household’s gross income (before taxes) should generally be at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. However, there are higher income limits for households with elderly or disabled members. Deductions are applied to your gross income to determine your net income, which is what’s used for eligibility calculations.
The income eligibility threshold for SNAP benefits varies based on the household size. For instance, a single-person household must have a monthly income below $1,775, while a family of three should maintain a monthly income under $3,020 to qualify for assistance. Households can possess up to $2,750 in countable resources (like cash or funds in a bank account) or up to $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member is either 60 years old or older, or disabled.
Nevertheless, some resources are exempted when determining SNAP eligibility, such as the assets of individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the majority of retirement and pension plans.
Adults between the ages of 18 and 49 who do not have children living with them are generally eligible for SNAP benefits for a period of three months within a three-year timeframe, unless they meet certain criteria. These criteria include being employed for at least 20 hours a week, participating in a job or training program, having a disability, or being pregnant. However, exceptions to this rule exist for adults without children who are disabled, elderly, pregnant, or gainfully employed.
Finally, there are special provisions for older adults and people with disabilities: Families in which every member falls into one of two categories qualify for enrollment in the Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP), a streamlined application procedure for food stamps.
Changes to food stamps coming from September 2023
Next month, SNAP benefits are set to undergo a series of modifications, as confirmed by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.
These changes are specifically directed towards a particular segment of SNAP recipients: able-bodied adults without dependents, referred to as ABAWDs by the agency. This group encompasses individuals between the ages of 50 and 54.
For ABAWDs falling within the age bracket of 18 to 49, there already exists a requirement to demonstrate their engagement in work for a minimum of 80 hours per month, participation in educational pursuits, or enrollment in a training program to be eligible for SNAP benefits exceeding a three-month period.
Commencing on September 1st, this same obligation will extend to able-bodied individuals without children who are 50 years of age.
Further adjustments are on the horizon: beginning on October 1st, the age criterion will encompass those up to 52 years old. Subsequently, on October 1, 2024, it will expand once more to include individuals up to 54 years of age.