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The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) aims to provide financial assistance to low-income individuals and families to help them purchase food but what are the key details you need to know to apply to the scheme?
SNAP benefits are issued via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, which works like a debit card and can be used at authorized retailers to buy food items such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, bread, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The program is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in association with the United States' Department of Agriculture as a federal overseer, meaning the scheme is catered locally to Texans.
How do I know if I am eligible?
SNAP eligibility criteria in Texas are based on several factors, including income, resources, household size, and other specific requirements, but the key one is that gross income before taxes and deductions must be no higher than 130% of the federal poverty level. This is approximately $1580 per month for one person, or $3219 for two four people.
Additionally, net income must be no higher than 100% of the federal poverty level once deductions such as housing costs, childcare, and medical expenses are removed from the sum amount. This is $1215 for one person per month, or $2490 per month for four people.
Residents must be citizens of Texas in order to apply to the program and must be legal U.S. citizens or legal non-citizens. Undocumented immigrants are ineligible, but their US-born kids might qualify.
Furthermore, Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged between 18-49 must work a minimum of 20 hours a week or be in a work/training program in order to gain access to SNAP. There are some exemptions, such as for disabled people or pregnant women.
How do I apply to SNAP?
In order to apply, collect key information such as Social Security numbers for household members as well as income, expenses and any assets before you apply with the Texas HHSC board.
The application can be done online via the YourTexasBenefits website and submitted digitally. It can also be done via paper, with the form being able to be downloaded on this website and then mailed to the local HHSC office. The office can be located on the website.
Or a person can apply in person by locating their local office and taking the relevant information needed with them.
Afterwards, an interview will be conducted by a HHSC agent/representative where they will review the application and ask for any further information if needed. The interview can be done over the telephone/cell phone.
If you are approved, then you will receive the EBT card through the post and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will notify you of the decision by mail or through your online account.
You do not need to do anything else other than recertify every six to 12 months, but the HHSC will let you know when it's time to do so and they can guide you through the process.