Are you trying to find out if Texas food stamps recipients will receive extra SNAP benefits for February? Well, there is good news! On January 25th, the USDA approved Texas to issue $276.6 million in extra SNAP EBT maximum benefits for February 2023. The extra food stamps for Texas – February 2023 are part of the Emergency Allotment (EA) Program.
This means that over 1.3 million food stamps households in Texas will get extra food stamp benefits for the month of February. All Texas EBT and Lone Star cardholders can expect to receive the maximum benefit amount for their household size.
“Millions of Texans are able to lead healthier lives because of these SNAP benefits provided by HHSC,” said Governor Abbott. “By extending emergency SNAP benefits, these families will continue having access to nutritious food so that they can grow and thrive.”
“HHSC is proud to continue helping Texans who need a helping hand put food on their table,” said Texas HHSC Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter.
If you want to know how much extra SNAP benefits you can expect in February and when you’ll receive them, then continue reading below.
BREAKING NEWS: The Texas Extra Food Stamps Program will be ending March 1, 2023. That means February 2023 will be your last month to receive extra food stamp benefits. To learn more, read this article here.
In this article, we will cover:
- What are Emergency Allotment benefits?
- Who qualifies for extra SNAP benefits?
- How much extra food stamps will I receive?
- When you’ll receive your Extra Food Stamps in Texas
- Extra Food Stamps for Texas – February 2023
- Food Stamps Increase 12.5% for 2022-2023
- Texas SNAP EBT FAQs
Extra Food Stamp Benefits in Texas
The Families First Act (FFA) is a federal law that was passed to respond to the effects of COVID-19.
The law authorized the issuance of emergency supplemental benefits to households receiving SNAP.
Based on the law, the federal government directed the states to issue supplemental SNAP benefits, up to the maximum allowable SNAP benefit for a household’s size.
Since March 2020, Texas has been using this temporary SNAP flexibility to provide emergency food benefits to households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program is managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
These temporary flexibilities are also referred to as Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits.
What are Emergency Allotment benefits?
During the pandemic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a waiver so that states could receive an “emergency allotment” of federal funds for SNAP.
Under the program, SNAP benefits recipients would receive the maximum amount available, as opposed to what they would have otherwise qualified for.
Texas Emergency Allotment Benefits
Under the direction of Greg Abbott, the HHSC requested and received federal approval to release Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits to eligible
SNAP households this month.
SNAP recipients who have already received their monthly benefits will see the additional EA benefits automatically loaded to their Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card on the schedule listed below.
Future Emergency Allotment benefits will be determined at the federal level by the USDA on a month-to-month basis.
Emergency Allotment benefits are not intended to be permanent.
If the federal government discontinues EA benefits, Texas SNAP recipients will continue to receive their standard SNAP benefits.
This would mean a reduction in the amount of SNAP assistance received each month.
Standard SNAP benefits are calculated based on household size, income & expenses, and assets.
Emergency Allotment Benefits Eligibility
If you are trying to find out if you are eligible to receive extra SNAP benefits in Texas, we can help.
To find out who qualifies for extra food stamps benefits, continue reading below.
Who qualifies for extra SNAP benefits?
Any household that is currently receiving food stamps benefits qualifies for extra food stamp Emergency Allotment (EA) benefits.
There is no extra paperwork to turn in to get the extra food stamps benefits.
It will simply be added to your EBT card, and you’ll be able to use it just like regular SNAP benefits.
In addition, any household that is approved for SNAP EBT in a month when EA benefits are issued will also qualify to receive extra food stamp benefits.
To find out how much you can expect to receive in extra SNAP benefits, continue reading below.
How much extra food stamps will I receive?
The amount of extra food stamp benefits you receive is determined by your household size.
Your Emergency Allotment benefits through P-SNAP is the difference between the amount of benefits you are currently receiving and the maximum benefit amount for your household size.
If you are already receiving the maximum monthly benefit amount for your household size, then you will not receive any additional or extra SNAP benefits.
However, if you are not receiving the maximum benefit allotment for your household size, then you will receive the $95 in extra food stamp benefits.
This means that you will receive the Maximum Benefit Amount for your household size with EA benefits.
With that said, Texas SNAP recipients can expect to receive a minimum of $95 in extra food stamp benefits for February.
Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment by Household Size
Use the chart below to find the Maximum SNAP Allotment Amount for your household size.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Texas | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$211 per person |
When you’ll receive Extra SNAP Benefits in Texas
Emergency Allotments are approved on a rolling basis and issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
The Emergency Allotment for a benefit month is usually issued during the same month.
To find out when you can expect to receive your extra Texas SNAP benefits for this month, continue reading below.
Is Texas giving Extra Food Stamp benefits this month?
Yes, the USDA has approved Texas for extra food stamp benefits for February 2023 through the Emergency Allotment Program.
To get all the details about the extra Texas food stamps for February 2023, continue reading below.
Extra Food Stamps for Texas – February 2023
To find out when you can expect to receive your February 2023 Emergency Allotment EA benefits on your Texas Lone Star EBT Card, see below.
When will I receive my extra food stamp benefits for February 2023?
The February 2023 extra food stamps benefits will be issued to Lone Star Cardholders from Thursday, February 2nd and Monday, February 6th and Thursday, February 9th.
How Many Texas SNAP Recipients will Get Extra Benefits in February 2023?
According to data provided by the USDA, the state of Texas will issue $276,580,938 in extra SNAP benefits to over 1,337,451 SNAP households in February 2023.
Is Texas issuing extra SNAP benefits in February 2023?
Yes, Texas has been approved by the USDA to issue SNAP emergency allotment (EA) benefits to SNAP households for the month of February 2023.
Each eligible household will only receive one emergency allotment per benefit month that emergency allotments are approved.
I did not receive Extra Food Stamps in January 2023 – what can I do?
Extra food stamps benefits for December were issued to Lone Star Cardholders between the following dates:
- Tuesday, January 3rd – Thursday, January 5th
- Monday, January 9th – Tuesday, January 10th
However, if you did not receive your extra food stamp benefits for December, contact your local Texas HHSC office.
To learn more about the EA Benefits for January 2023, read our article on the Extra Food Stamps in January 2023.
How do I check to see if I received my extra SNAP benefits?
To find out if you have received your extra SNAP EBT benefits for February or January, check your Texas SNAP EBT Card balance.
The Emergency Allotment benefits will be automatically deposited to your card EBT Card on your scheduled date.
To find out how to check your Texas EBT Balance, follow the instructions provided below.
Texas EBT Card Balance Check Instructions
There are three ways you can get the balance of the benefit on your Texas EBT Card – by phone, online, and in person.
Here’s how to check your Texas Lone Star EBT Card Balance:
- Call the TX EBT Card Customer Service Phone Number at 800-777-7328.
- Check your Lone Star Card balance online at YourTexasBenefits.com. You must first create an account if this is your first time using the Texas Benefits website. Click here to login.
- Visit an EBT Card approved store – they can check it for you before you buy anything. Your current balance will also be listed on your purchase receipt.
For more help checking your Texas Lone Star EBT balance, check out our complete step-by-step Texas Lone Star EBT Balance instructions.
Texas Emergency Allotment Payment Schedule for 2023
Here’s the Texas Emergency Allotment Issuance Schedule for 2023.
| Benefit Month | Issuance Dates |
| January 2023 | January 3rd – 5th & January 9th – 10th |
| February 2023 | February 2nd & February 6th – February 9th |
| March 2023 | |
| April 2023 | |
| May 2023 | |
| June 2023 | |
| July 2023 | |
| August 2023 | |
| September 2023 | |
| October 2023 | |
| November 2023 | |
| December 2023 |
To find out when EA benefits were sent out in 2022, please refer to the chart below.
Texas Emergency Allotment Payment Schedule for 2022
For your reference, we’ve also included the EA benefits issuance dates for 2022 below:
| Benefit Month | Issuance Dates |
| January 2022 | January 3rd – January 7th |
| February 2022 | February 2nd – February 8th |
| March 2022 | March 7th – March 11th |
| April 2022 | April 4th – April 8th |
| May 2022 | May 2nd – May 6th |
| June 2022 | June 6th – June 10th |
| July 2022 | July 6th – July 8th & July 11th – July 12th |
| August 2022 | August 1st – August 5th |
| September 2022 | September 6th – September 12th |
| October 2022 | October 4th – October 10th |
| November 2022 | November 3rd – November 10th |
| December 2022 | December 5th – December 12th |
Texas Food Stamps Increase 12.5% in October 2022
Here’s some more great news for Texas SNAP EBT recipients.
In September, the USDA announced that on October 1st, food stamp benefits will be increasing by 12.5%.
This is an effort to mitigate the rising prices of food and grocery items due to inflation.
Inflation has had a significant impact on low income families that rely on monthly food assistance.
In fact, the average cost of groceries has risen 12.2 percent in the last 12 months. That’s the largest 12-month increase since April 1979.
The Texas food stamps increase on October 1st is aimed to help low income households better meet their food needs.
How much of an increase will I get in food stamps?
On average, Texas food stamp recipients will receive an additional $27 in monthly benefits per person.
With that said, the average SNAP recipient can expect to receive an increase in benefits similar to the example highlighted below.
For a household of three:
Current Average Monthly SNAP Benefits: $658
New Average Monthly SNAP Benefits: $740
That’s a $82 increase in SNAP EBT benefits in for fiscal year 2023.
To learn more about increase that happened to SNAP benefits, read this article on the Food Stamps Increase for October 2022.
Maximum SNAP Benefits Increase for 2022-2023
For a family of four receiving the maximum allotment benefits in Texas, they will now receive $939 each month.
Below is the new maximum food stamp allotments by household size for Texas.
The new maximum SNAP benefit amounts went into effect on Saturday, October 1st.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Texas | |
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $281 |
| 2 | $516 |
| 3 | $740 |
| 4 | $939 |
| 5 | $1,116 |
| 6 | $1,339 |
| 7 | $1,480 |
| 8 | $1,691 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$211 |
Food Stamps Income Limit Increased on October 2022
Along with the increase in Maximum Allotment benefits for SNAP households, the food stamps income limit also increased on October 1, 2022.
This change is part of the USDA yearly cost-of-living increase to the food stamps program. They are responsible for setting the Income Eligibility Standard for SNAP.
If you are currently receiving Texas food stamps, you must meet the new income limit to continue receiving benefits.
In addition, if you are applying or renewing your food stamp benefits, you are required to meet these eligibility requirements.
The income test is required for all households, unless your household is already receiving cash assistance benefits from the federal government or your state.
The Food Stamps Income Limit for 2022-2023 is based on your household’s total income and size.
To see the new Texas Food Stamps income limit for fiscal year 2023, use the chart below:
| Texas SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2023 | ||
| Effective October 1, 2022 – September 30, 2023 | ||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL)
|
| 1 | $1,133 | $1,473 |
| 2 | $1,526 | $1,984 |
| 3 | $1,920 | $2,495 |
| 4 | $2,313 | $3,007 |
| 5 | $2,706 | $3,518 |
| 6 | $3,100 | $4,029 |
| 7 | $3,493 | $4,541 |
| 8 | $3,886 | $5,052 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$394 | +$512 |
Texas SNAP & EBT FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Texas SNAP and EBT program.
Can Texas Food Stamps Benefits Be used in Restaurants?
Currently no. However, the Texas Governor has been asking the USDA for permission to do that.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission sent a letter Tuesday requesting that the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service agency implement a statewide “Restaurant Meal Program”.
Additionally, the request asked the USDA for permission to streamline the SNAP application and approval process, including expediting approvals to certify new restaurants to begin accepting SNAP payments.
Under the USDA’s current rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy prepared meals sold to eat in-store, unless a state participates in the Restaurant Meals Program that serves people who may be elderly, disabled, or homeless.
Texas is asking the federal government to allow families that rely on SNAP benefits for food to use them at drive-thru restaurants.
This helps those families and the businesses in Texas that provide food. #coronavirus #COVID19 #txlege https://t.co/375AIdzkwV
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 25, 2020
Will SNAP Income Limits Be Increased This Year?
Yes, on October 1st 2022, the new SNAP income limits for applicants were increased. The new Texas food stamps income limit for 2022-2023 are as follows:
| Household Size | Gross monthly income (130 percent of poverty) |
Net monthly income (100 percent of poverty) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,473 | $1,133 |
| 2 | $1,984 | $1,526 |
| 3 | $2,495 | $1,920 |
| 4 | $3,007 | $2,313 |
| 5 | $3,518 | $2,706 |
| 6 | $4,029 | $3,100 |
| 7 | $4,541 | $3,493 |
| 8 | $5,052 | $3,886 |
| Each additional member | +$512 | +$394 |
How Many People are Currently on Food Stamps in Texas?
The food stamps program in Texas, also known as SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.4 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas.
Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.
The Texas SNAP program is managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
Extra Food Stamps for Texas – February 2023 Summary
Here’s the bottom line about Extra Food Stamps for Texas – February 2023:
Since March 2020, Texas has been using temporary SNAP flexibility to provide emergency food benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each eligible household will only receive one emergency allotment per benefit month that emergency allotments are approved.
Extra SNAP benefits for February 2023 will be paid to Lone Star EBT Cards between Thursday, February 2nd and Monday, February 6th to Thursday, February 9th.
Also, if you did not receive your extra Texas SNAP benefits in January, they were paid between January 3rd to January 5th and January 9th to January 10th.
The Texas Extra Food Stamps Program will be ending March 1, 2023. That means that February 2023 will be your last month to receive extra food stamp benefits.
To learn more, read this article here.
Additional Questions?
We hope this post on Extra Food Stamps for Texas for February 2023 was helpful to you.
If you have more questions about the Texas Food Stamps Program or Texas Lone Star EBT Card, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Texas SNAP and EBT, including:
Emergency Food Stamps in Texas
What can I buy with the Texas Food Stamps card?
Free Admission with EBT Card in Texas (30+ Locations)
Texas Food Stamps EBT Phone Number
Where You Can Use Texas EBT card
How to use Texas SNAP on Amazon for Delivery
Get 50% OFF Amazon Prime with Texas EBT Card
