The U.S. government helps low-income people buy healthy food through SNAP, which is one of its main types of aid. The program is run by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS), but it is controlled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) at the federal level.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is meant to help the weakest families get the food they need every month. The Lone Star Card, which works like a debit or credit card, is how beneficiaries get their help.
It can be used to buy basic foods like meat, vegetables, fruits, and dairy products at stores that are allowed to accept it. There are some limits, though. You can’t use SNAP funds to buy things like tobacco or booze that aren’t necessary.
Who is eligible to apply for SNAP benefits in Texas?
The main people who get SNAP benefits are low-income families and people who are jobless or having a hard time with money. However, not everyone who applies is accepted right away. The program has certain rules to make sure that the help only goes to people who really need it.
For instance, a single person can ask for benefits if they make no more than $2,000 a month.
The ceiling is higher for bigger families. Even if a family of five makes up to $4,832 a month, they can still get SNAP benefits. The income limit goes up by $707 for every extra person living in the home. This means that the aid can be used by families of all sizes.
How much money can you receive through SNAP?
The amount of SNAP money a family gets depends on how much money they have and how many people live in their home. For example, a person who lives alone could get up to $291 a month. This means that a family of five can get up to $1,115 a month. Larger groups, like a family of eight, can get up to $1,751, plus an extra $219 for each person over eight.
The money is put on the Lone Star Card every month, which lets families buy food at participating shops and supermarkets across Texas. Food Stamps (SNAP) are an important way for families to get healthy food and keep their diets balanced.
Payment schedule for SNAP in September
People in Texas who get SNAP benefits get their money based on their Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. This number tells them what day their money will be put on their Lone Star Card. The payment plan for September 2024 is shown below:
- EDG 00-03: Sunday, September 1
- EDG 04-06: Monday, September 2
- EDG 07-10: Tuesday, September 3
- EDG 11-13: Wednesday, September 4
- EDG 14-17: Thursday, September 5
- EDG 18-20: Friday, September 6
- EDG 21-24: Saturday, September 7
- EDG 25-27: Sunday, September 8
- EDG 28-31: Monday, September 9
- EDG 32-34: Tuesday, September 10
- EDG 35-38: Wednesday, September 11
- EDG 39-41: Thursday, September 12
- EDG 42-45: Friday, September 13
- EDG 46-49: Saturday, September 14
- EDG 50-53: Sunday, September 15
- EDG 54-57: Monday, September 16
- EDG 58-60: Tuesday, September 17
- EDG 61-64: Wednesday, September 18
- EDG 65-67: Thursday, September 19
- EDG 68-71: Friday, September 20
- EDG 72-74: Saturday, September 21
- EDG 75-78: Sunday, September 22
- EDG 79-81: Monday, September 23
- EDG 82-85: Tuesday, September 24
- EDG 86-88: Wednesday, September 25
- EDG 89-92: Thursday, September 26
- EDG 93-95: Friday, September 27
- EDG 96-99: Saturday, September 28
For people in Texas who get SNAP, the last two digits of their EDG number can tell them exactly when their money will be on their Lone Star Card.
What can you buy with SNAP benefits?
SNAP funds are meant to help families buy healthy foods that are important for a balanced diet. Foods like fruits, veggies, meats, dairy products, bread, cereals, and other basic foods can be bought.
There are, however, limits on what can be bought with SNAP cash. You can’t use your SNAP benefits to buy ready-made or hot foods, non-food items (like cleaning supplies), booze, tobacco, vitamins and supplements. When you shop with your Lone Star Card, it’s important to remember these rules.
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