Every person enrolled in SNAP in Texas is eligible to get the maximum benefit level allowable, based on their income and household size. However, not all Texans get the maximum food stamps they are eligible for. The number one reason for this is a lack of understanding of the food stamps application rules. In this post, we will walk you through how to get more food stamps in Texas by correctly calculating your income, knowing what deductions you can take, and making sure you take the maximum allowable deductions to get the benefit amount you are eligible for.
How to Get More Food Stamps in Texas
Here are the steps to follow to make sure you get the maximum SNAP benefit level allowable, based on their income and household size
Step 1 – Make sure you know the SNAP Income Limit for Texas
The first step in making sure you get the maximum SNAP benefits you are eligible for is to know the income limit.
This is important because income is the number one factor that determines how much SNAP benefits you will get.
Knowing the income limit allows you to calculate your Gross and Net Income, from which the allowable deductions will be taken.
For 2022, here’s the Texas SNAP Income Limit:
| Texas SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |||
| Household Size | Texas SNAP Maximum Gross Monthly Income (130% of FPIG) | Maximum Net Monthly Income (100% of FPIG) | Maximum Gross Monthly Income for household with member age 60+ or disabled (165% of FPIG) |
| 1 | $1,396 | $1,074 | $1,771 |
| 2 | $1,888 | $1,452 | $2,396 |
| 3 | $2,379 | $1,830 | $3,020 |
| 4 | $2,871 | $2,209 | $3,644 |
| 5 | $3,363 | $2,587 | $4,268 |
| 6 | $3,855 | $2,965 | $4,893 |
| 7 | $4,347 | $3,344 | $5,517 |
| 8 | $4,839 | $3,722 | $6,141 |
| 9 | $5,331 | $4,101 | $6,766 |
| 10 | $5,823 | $4,480 | $7,391 |
| Each additional person | $492 | $379 | $625 |
For instructions on how to determine your gross and net income, see our post on Texas SNAP Income Limit.
Step 2 – Know the Maximum SNAP Allotment per Household Size
The table below shows the maximum food stamps benefits for households with zero income.
As your income increases, your Texas SNAP benefit amount goes down.
The table below shows the maximum SNAP allotment per household size for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
| Household Size | Texas SNAP Maximum Monthly Allotment | Estimated Average Monthly Benefit for 2022 |
| 1 | $250 | $175 |
| 2 | $459 | $334 |
| 3 | $658 | $520 |
| 4 | $835 | $638 |
| 5 | $992 | $748 |
| 6 | $1,190 | $869 |
| 7 | $1,316 | $941 |
| 8 | $1,504 | $1,137 |
| Each Additional Member: | +$188 |
Step 3 – Calculate How Much will Get in Food Stamps
The most important step in the process is to calculate how much you are likely to get in SNAP benefits based on your income and household size.
We are going to calculate the SNAP benefits amount for a family of 4 as an example.
Follow the same steps below to calculate the SNAP amount for your household.
Example: SNAP amount for a family of 4
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 4 will get in Texas SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 4 could receive in Texas SNAP is $835.
The result is the amount of your monthly Texas SNAP benefits for a family of 4.
Here’s an example:
Example: Sarah and her family of four (4) have $2,100 in net income after allowable income and shelter deductions. To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,100) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$2,100 Net Income for Sarah’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$ 630 Countable Income
$ 835 Maximum SNAP for 4 persons
-$630 Countable income
$ 205 Monthly SNAP benefits for Sarah’s family
Step 4 – Claim Your Deductions
In order to calculate your net income to determine your eligibility for Texas SNAP, you have to take your household’s total gross monthly income minus any allowable expenses.
All allowable expenses should be subtracted from your gross monthly income.
As mentioned above, knowing what deductions are allowable is a key part in making sure you get the maximum SNAP benefit your household is eligible for.
To find out what all of the allowable deductions are, continue reading below.
Texas SNAP Allowable Deductions for 2022
To calculate your net monthly income, you must deduct approved household expenses. Here are the expenses that can be deducted from your household’s gross income:
| If the eligible household size is … | then the standard deduction is … |
|---|---|
| Three or less | $177 |
| Four | $184 |
| Five | $215 |
| Six or more | $246 |
SNAP allowable deductions:
Here’s the list of expenses that can count as food stamps deductions.
- Standard medical expense — $170 (minus $35)
- Actual medical expense (minus $35)
- Homeless shelter standard — $159.73
- Maximum excess shelter — $597
- Standard utility allowance — $367
- Basic utility allowance — $345
- Phone standard — $38
Texas SNAP EBT FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Texas SNAP/EBT benefits:
Which Grocery Stores Accept Texas SNAP EBT Online?
Texas is one of the states approved for the USDA SNAP online purchasing pilot program. Here’s the list of Grocery stores that accept Texas SNAP EBT online:
Walmart
As of April 2022, Walmart has expanded online grocery purchases to all Texas locations. See store details for Pickup and delivery options.
Amazon
Starting in April 30, 2020, Amazon has been offering online grocery purchases across Texas through:
- Amazon Grocery
- Amazon Fresh (where available)
Additionally, Texas SNAP EBT cardholders get 50% off Amazon Prime. To sign up, click here to be taken to their sign-up page.
Also, although Whole Foods, which is now owned by Amazon accepts SNAP in stores, online grocery delivery is not available from Whole Foods at this time.
Aldi
As of December 2020, Aldi is partnering with Instacart to offer online grocery purchases through its Texas locations. Find additional details on the Instacart website.
Other Grocery stores that take Texas SNAP EBT online include:
- Brookshire’s Food and Pharmacy
- FRESH by Brookshire’s
- H-E-B
- Joe V’s Smart Shop
- Sam’s Club Scan and Go
- Spring Market
Did You Know: The SNAP Online Purchasing Pilot allows SNAP recipients in Texas to buy food online from ALDI, Amazon, H-E-B and Walmart. Learn more: https://t.co/D5CZj1Hsrd pic.twitter.com/dzGFUqg3ue
— Texas HHSC (@TexasHHSC) December 22, 2020
What items cannot be purchased with SNAP Benefits?
Here is the list of items you cannot purchase with your Texas SNAP EBT benefits:
- Prepared hot foods in grocery stores
- Any prepared food (hot or cold) sold and meant to be eaten at the store
- Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
- Cleaning products, paper products, toiletries, and cooking utensils
- Pet supplies
- Items for food preservation such as canning jars and lids, freezer containers, or food wrapping paper
- Medicines, vitamins, or minerals
- Items for gardening such as fertilizer and peat moss
Do Restaurants in Texas Accept EBT?
Unfortunately, you cannot use your Texas EBT card at restaurants to purchase ready-made food or hot food.
That is because Texas does not currently participate in the Restaurant Meals Program.
The program is currently available in the following seven (7) states:
- California
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Arizona
- New York
- Illinois
- Rhode Island
How to Get More Food Stamps in Texas Summary
We hope this post on how to get more Food Stamps in Texas was helpful to you!
If you have more questions about your EBT or SNAP Benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles about Texas SNAP and Texas 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)
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
What is Countable Income for Texas EBT?
How to Report Food Stamps Trafficking in Texas
