Do you want to apply for food stamps in Texas, but need help finding out if your income is eligible? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you with everything you need to know about the Texas Food Stamp Income Limits for 2022.
The Texas food stamps income guidelines will determine if you qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamp benefits.
It’s no secret that there are very strict Texas food stamp requirements. Before you can apply for the food assistance in Texas, you have to make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements. This will ensure that you are approved and your TX SNAP application is filed correctly.
In this article, we will provide you with the Food Stamps Income Limit Texas for fiscal year 2022.
In addition, we will also cover:
- TX SNAP Income Limit for 2022
- Food Stamps Allowable Deductions
- Texas Food Stamps Standard Deduction
- Gross and Net Income Calculator for TX SNAP EBT
- How much you’ll get in Texas Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Texas Food Stamps
To learn more about the Texas food stamp income limits and eligibility requirements, continue reading below.
Texas Food Stamps Program
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamps Program, is a federally funded program by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
The program helps limited-income households buy the food they need for good health and nutrition.
Each state is responsible for the distributing and managing their own food assistance program.
In Texas, the Food Stamps Program is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS).
Each month, SNAP food benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card, also known as the Texas Lone Star Card.
The Texas Lone Star EBT Card can be used just like a regular debit card to make purchases for eligible food items at approved SNAP store locations.
Households approved for the Texas food stamps can receive over $1,500 in benefits each month (depending in your income and household size).
To find out if you qualify for the Texas Food Stamps Program, continue reading below.
Texas Food Stamp Income Limits
The Texas food stamps income limit is the biggest factor in deciding whether your SNAP application will be approved or not.
In order to use the SNAP income limit chart, you must first calculate your total monthly gross income for your household.
Your total gross income is compared to a percentage of the federal poverty level (FPL) to determine if you qualify for Texas food stamps.
Once you know your household’s total gross income, expenses like childcare, medical expenses and housing costs are subtracted to calculate your total net income.
Your household’s total net income is used to determine how much you will receive in TX SNAP benefits each month.
Now that you know it works, you can use the Texas Food Stamp Income Limits Chart to determine if your household qualifies for food assistance benefits.
In addition, we will walk you through the steps to successfully calculate your gross and net monthly income including standard and allowable deductions for your household.
TX SNAP Income Limit Chart for 2022
The Texas SNAP Income Chart provided below shows both the gross monthly income and net monthly income based on your household size.
Texas SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 |
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Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 |
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Household Size | Gross Monthly Income (130% of FPL) | Net Monthly Income (100% of FPL) |
1 | $1,396 | $1,074 |
2 | $1,888 | $1,452 |
3 | $2,379 | $1,830 |
4 | $2,871 | $2,209 |
5 | $3,363 | $2,587 |
6 | $3,855 | $2,965 |
7 | $4,347 | $3,344 |
8 | $4,838 | $3,722 |
Each Additional Household Member: | +$492 | +$379 |
TX SNAP Net Income Limit for 2022
With a few exceptions, all households applying for food stamps in Texas also have to meet the net monthly income limit.
To calculate your net monthly income, you have to subtract any eligible allowable deductions from your monthly gross income.
For help, use the list of allowable deductions provided below.
SNAP EBT Allowable Deductions
The expenses that can be deducted from your gross income include:
- 20% deduction from Earned Income
- Standard deduction of $177 for households with 1 to 3 people and $184 for households with 4 or more people (see chart below)
- Dependent care deduction when needed for work, training, or education
- A deduction for elderly or disabled members medical expenses that exceed $35 a month (if not paid by insurance or someone else)
- Any legally owed child support payments can be deducted
- Homeless Household’s shelter costs deduction of $159.73.
- A deduction for excess shelter costs that exceed more than half of the household’s income (after the other deductions listed above & cannot exceed $597 unless a household member is elderly or disabled).
Texas SNAP Standard Deduction Amount
When determining your eligibility for Texas food stamp benefits, you will subtract a standard deduction from your total household income. The standard deduction amount is based on two factors – your household size and location.
To find out how much your standard deduction will be, use the SNAP Standard Deduction Chart for fiscal year 2022 provided below:
Texas SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2022 | |
Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |
Household Size | Standard Deduction |
1-2 | $177 |
3 | $177 |
4 | $184 |
5 | $215 |
6+ | +$246 |
How to Calculate Gross Income
If you are struggling to figure out your household’s gross income, the chart below will provide you an example on how to get from a gross income calculation.
Once you have your monthly gross income, you can use this number to calculate your monthly net income. Your monthly net income will determine your eligibility for food stamp benefits in Texas.
How to Calculate Gross Income for Texas Food Stamps | |
Gross Income Calculation: | Example: |
Determine household size . . . | 4 people with no elderly or disabled members. |
Add gross monthly income . . . | $1,500 earned income + $550 social security = $2,050 gross income. |
If gross monthly income is less than the limit for household size, determine net income. | $2,050 is less than the $2,871 allowed for a 4-person household, so determine net income. |
How to Calculate Net Income
Now that you have your household’s monthly gross income, you can use that number to calculate your net income. Use the chart below to calculate your monthly net income and determine if your household is eligible for Texas SNAP EBT benefits.
Please note that there may be exceptions to the net income calculation. These exceptions apply to household members that are elderly or disabled. For more information or immediate help call your local Texas HHS office.
How to Calculate Net Income for Texas Food Stamps | |
Net Income Calculation: | Example for a 4-person household: |
Subtract 20% earned income deduction… | $2,050 gross income
$1,500 earned income x 20% = $300. $2,050 – $300 = $1,750 |
Subtract standard deduction… | $1,750 – $184 standard deduction for a 4-person household = $1,566 |
Subtract dependent care deduction… | $1,569 – $362 dependent care = $1,204 |
Subtract child support deduction… | $0 |
Subtract medical costs over $35 for elderly and disabled… | $0 |
Excess shelter deduction… | See below |
Determine half of adjusted income… | $1,204 adjusted income/2 = $602 |
Determine if shelter costs are more than half of adjusted income… | $700 total shelter – $602 (half of income) = $98 excess shelter cost |
Subtract excess amount, but not more than the limit, from adjusted income… | $1,204 – $98 = $1,106 net monthly income |
Apply the net income test… | Since $1,106 is less than $2,209 allowed for a 4-person household, this household has met the income test. |
Excess Shelter Deduction for SNAP EBT
The excess shelter deduction when calculating your household’s monthly net income applies to shelter costs that are more than half of the household’s income after other deductions.
Allowable shelter costs include:
- Fuel for heating and cooking
- Electricity
- Water
- Cost for one telephone
- Rent or mortgage payments (and interest)
- Homeowners taxes
- Some states allow a set amount for utility costs instead of actual costs.
Maximum Shelter Deduction for Texas SNAP Benefits
The amount of the shelter deduction is capped at $597 unless one person in the household is elderly or disabled.
For a household with an elderly or disabled member all shelter costs over half of the household’s income may be deducted.
For more help determining if you are eligible to receive Texas food stamps, check out our complete Texas SNAP Eligibility Guide.
How much will I Get in Texas Food Stamps?
You must meet all eligibility requirements including the Texas Food Stamps Income Limit, in order to be approved for benefits.
The amount of money you will get each month depends on your household size.
See the chart below for the maximum amount you may get based on the number of people in your household.
Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Texas | |
Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |
Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
1 | $250 |
2 | $459 |
3 | $658 |
4 | $835 |
5 | $992 |
6 | $1,190 |
7 | $1,316 |
8 | $1,504 |
Each Additional Household Member: | +$188 |
To find exactly how much you can expect to receive in Texas SNAP benefits on the Lone Star EBT Card each month, read our complete Food Stamps Calculator in Texas for 2022.
Now that you know the income requirements for Texas food stamps, if you want to apply for SNAP benefits, continue reading below.
We will provide you with detailed on how to apply for Texas food stamps.
How to Apply for Texas Food Stamps
There are four ways you can apply for food stamps in Texas – online, in-person, by mail or via phone. Before we go through each of the four ways to apply for Texas food stamps, let’s review what you will need to apply. It’s important that you gather all the necessary documents prior to applying for Texas food stamp benefits.
Here is a list of information and documentation you will need to complete your Texas SNAP Application:
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Income information such as job, child support or any other sources
- Resource or asset information such bank accounts (checking, savings accounts), vehicles, homes, land or life insurance
- Housing expenses such as rent or utilities
- Health Insurance information
Once you have gathered this information, you can now begin the Texas Food Stamps application process.
Texas SNAP Application Instructions
Here are the four ways you can apply for Texas food stamps:
Option 1: Online via Your Texas Benefits
The first option is to apply online using the Your Texas Benefits online portal. You can access the Your Texas Benefits website by visiting www.yourtexasbenefits.com.
If this is your first time using YourTexasBenefits, you will first have to create an online account.
Creating a YourTexasBenefits account is quick, easy, and should only take a few minutes.
Once you have created your account, you can apply for food stamp benefits online by submitting your TX SNAP Application.
Option 2: In-Person at TX HHS Office
The next way to apply for food stamps in Texas is in-person at your local county Health and Human Services (HHS) office.
Click here for a full list of Texas HHS Office locations.
Option 3: By Phone
If you do not have access to a computer or transportation, you can also submit your TX SNAP Application by phone.
To apply for Texas food stamps by phone, please call 877-541-7905 or dial 2-1-1 in your phone and select “Option 2” from the menu.
You will be walked through the steps on how to apply for benefits by phone.
Option 4: Mail or Fax
The last option for completing your Texas SNAP Application is by mail. In order to complete your application by mail, you must download the TX SNAP Application online.
To apply for Texas food stamps by mail, click here to download the Texas SNAP Application.
Once completed, mail the application to your local county Health and Human Services (HHS) Office.
To get the mailing address for the TX HHS Office near you, use the Texas SNAP Office Location finder.
You can also mail your completed application to:
HHSC
PO Box 149024
Austin, TX 78714-9968
Texas Simplified SNAP Application
Households in which all members are either older adults (age 60 and older) or people with disabilities are eligible to participate in the Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP).
The TSAP Application for food stamp benefits is shorter, and recipients are certified for three years rather than six months.
Additionally, if a person is eligible, they do not have to complete an interview to renew their benefits.
Need More Help with your TX Food Stamps Application?
For more help with your Texas food stamps eligibility or application, contact your local county assistance office (TX HHS).
You can also call the Texas SNAP Customer Service Center at 1-877-541-7905.
Customer Service representatives are available to help you Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm Central Time.
If you are hearing impaired or deaf, please contact TDD Services by calling TX Relay Services at 211.
Emergency Food Stamps Texas
If you are facing a life-threatening situation and need immediate food stamp, please apply for emergency food stamps.
To apply for emergency SNAP in Texas, visit an HHSC benefits office or call 2-1-1 in your phone.
They will provide you with immediate help accessing food.
Texas Food Stamps Income Limit Questions
We hope our post on the Texas Food Stamp Income Limits for 2022 was helpful to you! If you need additional help determining your eligibility for food stamps or submitting your application for Texas SNAP, please let us know in the comments section below.
If you found this article helpful, we encourage you to please share it with someone using the “Share this” button below.
In the meantime, be sure to check out our other articles on Texas SNAP EBT:
Texas Food Stamp Calculator for 2022
How much will a family of 4 get in Texas SNAP Benefits?
Texas SNAP Eligibility Guidelines for 2022
How to get more Food Stamps in Texas
Get 50% OFF Amazon Prime with Texas EBT Card
Texas Food Stamps FAQs