How to Apply for SNAP in Texas

This information is current as of March 26, 2022.

Did you know that thousands of people across the U.S. struggle to provide healthy meals for their families every day? If you find yourself in this challenging situation in Texas, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) can help.

You can easily apply for SNAP in Texas online if you meet the eligibility requirements. First, you’ll need to gather a few documents, which we will outline in this guide. Then, after a review process and an interview, you may be able to receive hundreds of dollars monthly through SNAP to help buy groceries for you and your family.

Follow the application guidelines below to potentially receive SNAP benefits in a few weeks.

Applying for SNAP in Texas

SNAP is a government-funded program that helps low-income families buy food. The program, formerly known as food stamps, is available to:

• Low-income families
• Elderly people
• Those with disabled members in their household
• Single adults who qualify for assistance based on their residence, employment status, resources, and income

To apply for this program, you first need to:

• Check if you meet the eligibility requirements: An easy way to do this is to fill out this screening form. This form will give you a good idea if you can or can’t receive SNAP benefits.

• Fill out the application: You must create an account to access the online application. Alternatively, you can print out the application and submit it via mail, fax, or in person.

• Complete an interview: Within the next 30 days, you will be contacted for an interview which usually takes place over the phone.

• Await notification: You will be notified within 30 days of submission of whether you are eligible to receive SNAP benefits or not.

SNAP Eligibility Requirements in Texas

To be eligible for the SNAP program, you must be a U.S. citizen or a lawfully present noncitizen. Noncitizens can qualify for SNAP if they have lived in the U.S. for at least five years, receive disability-related assistance, or have a child under 18.

Bank Account Requirements

To be eligible in TX, you must be a state resident and have a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001. Otherwise, you must have a current bank balance under $3,001 if you share a household with a person/people age 60+ or with a disabled person, such as a child, spouse, parent, or yourself.

Income Requirements

You also need to have an annual household income (before taxes) below the following amounts:

• For a household size of one, your annual household income must be below $17,667 per year
• For two people, below $23,803
• For three people, below $29,939
• For four people, below $36,075
• For a household of five people, below $42,211
• For a household of six below $48,347
• For seven people, below $54,483
• For eight people below $60,619

If you live in a household with more than eight people, add $6,136 per additional person and make sure your annual income is below that number.

Work Requirements

Another requirement for those ages 16-59 is related to work rules. These rules require recipients to either have a job, actively search for one, or participate in the state’s approved work training program. In addition, if you have a job and receive SNAP benefits, you cannot quit that job or reduce work hours without a good reason.

Non-disabled adults without dependents must work or participate in a work program 20 hours a week to get SNAP benefits. Otherwise, you are limited to receiving benefits for only three months out of every 36 months. This does not include children, seniors, pregnant women, and people who cannot work due to their physical or mental health.

The SNAP Application Process

To apply for SNAP, you will need a few items. It’s best to gather them before you begin to make the application process more manageable. You will need:

• Proof of income from your job: the last three pay stubs or paychecks, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.
• Bank accounts: the most current statement for all accounts.
• Medical costs: bills, receipts, or statements from healthcare providers such as doctors, hospitals, and drug stores. These items should show current and expected future costs.
• Rent or mortgage costs: recent checks, check stubs, or statements from the mortgage bank or landlord. Renters also need to provide the landlord’s name, address, and phone number.
• Dependent care expenses: receipts, canceled checks, or signed statements from the person you pay showing when and how much you pay.
• Child support provided: court papers that show the amount paid, such as a divorce decree, court order, or district clerk record.
• Child support received: district clerk record or letter from the parent who pays, showing the paid amount, how often, and the date it is usually paid. This letter must have the name, address, phone number, and signature of the parent who pays.

Once you have gathered this information, your application process will be a breeze. During the application, be prepared to answer questions about everyone in your household. This includes their social security number and birth date, citizenship or immigration status, money from jobs or other sources, the value of cars and other property, and the costs of household bills.

Starting Your Application

1. Apply online here. You will need to create a username and password. Alternatively, you can print out this application and send it via mail, fax, or in person.

2. Within the next 30 days, you will be contacted for an interview. This usually takes place over the phone and takes less than one hour.

3. Within 30 days of submitting your application, you will be notified if you are eligible to receive the SNAP benefits.

4. If you qualify, you’ll receive a Lone Star Card in the mail, or you can pick it up from the nearest office, found here. 

5. Once you have your Lone Star Card, you must register it and set up a personal PIN.

6. Finally, you can use the Lone Star Card at any store that accepts them.

SNAP Benefits in Texas

In Texas, participants of SNAP receive a Lone Star Card that works like a debit card. It can be used at any local food store that accepts SNAP.

It’s loaded with money each month based on family size. Then, you swipe the card through the store’s machine and enter your identification card (PIN), and purchase amounts are taken out of the Lone Star Card balance.

For a family of one, the maximum monthly SNAP benefit is $250. A family of two is $459 a month. A family of three is allotted $658 a month. A family of four receives $835 a month. For five people, it is $992 a month.

For six, the monthly amount is $1,190, and for seven, it is $1,316. For a household of eight, the amount per month is $1,504. Each additional person after eight people is allotted an additional $188 a month.

With the Lone Star Card, you can only buy food and garden seeds. Food items include fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, bread, cereals, snack foods, non-alcoholic beverages, and plants that produce food.

You cannot buy tobacco, alcoholic drinks, things you can’t eat or drink, or pay for any food bills you owe. You also can’t buy vitamins, medicines, supplements, live animals, hot foods at the point of sale, pet food, cleaning supplies, paper products, hygiene products, and cosmetics.

You can easily use the SNAP Retailer Locator to find stores near you that accept a Lone Star Card.

Final Thoughts

Many families struggle to make ends meet and live paycheck to paycheck each month. After paying for bills, rent, childcare, and transportation cost, it can be hard to find enough money to buy a nutritious meal for your family. SNAP was created to help the families who need it the most. The program ensures fresh, healthy food from local growers.

To see if you qualify for SNAP benefits, click here.

To apply in Texas, use this page.

To get information over the telephone, you can call 877-541-7905.

Do remember, you’re not alone. Hundreds of thousands of families benefit from the help of SNAP every month. Sometimes, just a little bit of support can go a long way in changing your family’s life.

Save Money on Your Wireless Phone Service

If you qualify for SNAP benefits, you also qualify for Lifeline service or the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Both Lifeline and ACP are federal benefit programs that allow low-income consumers to receive free or heavily discounted communication services.

Click here to find out more and apply for this valuable benefit.