If you are struggling to meet your basic food and nutrition needs, there is help available to you. The Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance help to eligible low-income households. If you want to know if you qualify for food stamp benefits in Texas, this article will provide you with the Texas SNAP Eligibility Guidelines for fiscal year 2022.
This article will cover:
- Texas SNAP Eligibility Guidelines for 2022
- Texas Food Stamp Requirements
- TX Food Stamps Gross and Net Income Limit
- How to Calculate Gross and Net Income for Food Stamps
- How Much You Could Receive in TX Food Stamps
- Texas SNAP Vehicle Asset Test & Work Requirements
- How to Apply for Texas Food Stamps
Texas Food Stamp Benefits
The Food Assistance Program provides monthly benefits to low-income households struggling to meet their nutritional needs.
In the state of Texas, the program is administered by the TX Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Your Texas Benefits online portal.
Texas food stamp benefits are intended to supplement other household income and may only be used to purchase food.
If you meet the Texas SNAP eligibility guidelines, you will receive a special debit card, called an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card.
The Texas EBT Card, also known as the Lone Star Card is loaded with your food benefits each month.
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 could receive over $1,500 in benefits each month.
The amount of food stamp benefits a household gets depends on three things:
- Household income from all sources (earned and unearned) such as money you get from a job, Social Security, SSI, or interest
- How many people live in your household
- Where you live
If you want to apply for Texas Food Stamps, you must make sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
There are strict eligibility guidelines that you must to receive food stamp benefits in Texas.
To find out if you qualify for the Texas Food Stamps Program, continue reading below.
Texas SNAP Eligibility Guidelines for 2022
To be eligible for the Texas Food Stamp Program, you have to meet the eligibility requirements established by the USDA.
The Texas SNAP Eligibility Guidelines will help you determine if you will qualify for SNAP benefits.
Do I qualify for Texas Food Stamps?
To qualify for the Texas Food Stamps and EBT Card benefits, you must:
- Be a U.S. Citizen or Legal Non-Citizen
- Live in the state of Texas
- Meet the SNAP Income Limit
In addition to the eligibility requirements listed above, your household must also meet the three income and resources tests.
Income is the most important requirement when it comes to qualifying for Texas food stamp benefits.
The three tests include your household’s gross monthly income, net income, and assets.
Gross Monthly Income — is your household’s total income before any deductions. This includes money earned from work and other assistance such as unemployment, Social Security and child support.
Net Income — is your household’s total income after all allowable deductions.
Assets — is your household’s total resources that are considered available to purchase food, such as bank accounts and cash.
To learn more about each of the three SNAP eligibility tests including how to calculate them for your household, continue reading below.
Texas Food Stamp Requirements for EBT Benefits
To help determine if you are eligible for Food Stamps in Texas, we breakdown each of the three SNAP eligibility tests for you below.
Test 1 – Gross Income Test
The first test you must meet is the gross monthly income test. This is a household’s income before any allowable deductions are applied.
The USDA requires that a household’s income must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.
In fiscal year 2022, the poverty line amount for an individual is $1,073. Therefore, 130 percent of that level is $1,396.
This means that an individual applying for Texas food stamps must have a gross monthly income of $1,396 or below to qualify.
For a family of three, the poverty line is $1,830 a month. Therefore, 130 percent of that is $2,379 a month, or about $28,550 a year.
The poverty level is higher for bigger families and lower for smaller families.
How to Calculate Gross Income
Use the example provided below to help you calculate your household’s gross monthly income.
| 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. |
Texas Food Stamps Income Limit for 2022
Once you have calculated your household’s gross income, use the chart below to determine if it meets the income limit for Texas food stamp benefits.
| Texas SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | |
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income (130% of Federal Poverty Level) |
| 1 | $1,396 |
| 2 | $1,888 |
| 3 | $2,379 |
| 4 | $2,871 |
| 5 | $3,363 |
| 6 | $3,855 |
| 7 | $4,347 |
| 8 | $4,838 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$492 |
Test 2 – Net Income Test
The Net Income, or household income after deductions are applied, must be at or below the poverty line for your household size.
To find out how to calculate your net income with the allowable deductions, continue reading below.
Texas Food Stamp Allowable Deductions
Certain deductions are allowable to be taken from the gross income to arrive at the net income amount.
The following deductions are allowed for all households depending on the living situation and expenses:
- 20 percent deduction from earned income to account for work-related expenses and payroll taxes.
- A standard deduction based on household size (see below) to account for basic unavoidable costs.
- Dependent care deduction for out-of-pocket child care or when needed for work, training, or education.
- Child support deduction for any legally obligated child support that a member of the household pays.
- Medical expense deduction for elderly or disabled household members that have incurred out-of-pocket medical expenses greater than $35 a month.
- Homeless household shelter deduction of $159.73.
- Excess shelter deduction for households with a shelter cost that exceed more than half of the household’s income. This deduction is uncapped for households with an elderly or disabled member. However, for all other households, this deduction is capped at $597 per month.
Once you have subtracted all eligible deductions from your household gross income, this will give you your monthly net income.
Texas SNAP Standard Deduction
The food stamps standard deduction varies based on your household size and location. Please use the chart provided below to find the standard deduction amount for your household.
| SNAP Standard Deductions for Fiscal Year 2022 | |||||
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |||||
| Household Size | Standard Deduction | ||||
| 48 States & D.C. | Alaska | Guam | Hawaii | Virgin Islands | |
| 1-2 | $177 | $303 | $356 | $250 | $156 |
| 3 | $177 | $303 | $356 | $250 | $156 |
| 4 | $184 | $303 | $367 | $250 | $184 |
| 5 | $215 | $303 | $430 | $250 | $215 |
| 6+ | $246 | $308 | $493 | $283 | $246 |
How to Calculate Net Income
Use the example provided below to help you calculate your household’s net monthly income based on 4-person household with a $2,050 gross income.
| How to Calculate SNAP Net Income in Texas | |
| 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. |
What Counts As Income?
For your SNAP application, cash from all sources will count towards your income limit including:
- Earned income (before payroll taxes are deducted)
- Unearned income, such as cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support are all counted towards your income for food stamps purposes.
TX SNAP Net Income Limit for 2022
Once you have calculated your household’s net income, use the chart below to determine if your household meets the Texas food stamp income limits for 2022.
| SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2022 | |
| Effective October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022 | |
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of Federal Poverty Level) |
| 1 | $1,074 |
| 2 | $1,452 |
| 3 | $1,830 |
| 4 | $2,209 |
| 5 | $2,587 |
| 6 | $2,965 |
| 7 | $3,344 |
| 8 | $3,722 |
| Each Additional Household Member: | +$379 |
For more information on the Texas Food Stamps income requirements, check out out complete article on the Texas SNAP Income Limits for 2022.
Test 3 – Assets Test
The final test to determine if you’re eligible for food stamp benefits is the assets test. This test determines if your total household assets fall below the acceptable limit.
Households with a member who is elderly (age 60 or older) or disabled, must have assets or countable resources of $3,750 or less.
Households without an elderly or disabled member, must have assets of $2,500 or less.
What counts as an Asset?
For your application, resources that could be available to the household to purchase food are counted towards your asset limit.
This includes:
- Bank accounts
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Real estate other than your home
- Income you earn from assets (like interest earned on savings and dividends you receive).
What does not count as an asset?
Certain items do not count as an asset. These are typically resources that are not accessible, such as the household’s home, personal property, and retirement savings*.
*Please note that withdrawals from these accounts may count as either income or resources depending on how often they occur.
Additionally, most automobiles do not count as an asset. However, there are special rules around vehicles. To learn more about this, continue reading below.
Do vehicles count as an asset for Food Stamps?
While most vehicles do not count towards the food stamps resources limit, this varies based on the state you live in.
In Texas, they use something called Vehicle Asset Test (VAT) to determine SNAP eligibility.
What is the Texas Vehicle Asset Test?
The Vehicle Asset Test places a limit on the value of the vehicles that a household can own and still receive SNAP benefits.
Texas is one of four states that does not exempt the value of at least one vehicle for SNAP eligibility.
The current limits are set at $15,000 for the first vehicle and $4,650 for the second or any additional vehicles.
How does the Vehicle Asset Test work?
If a car’s value exceeds the limits, the excess value is applied to a liquid asset limit of $5,000 (e.g., cash in a savings or checking account).
If the household’s total assets exceed this limit, they will not qualify for food stamp benefits in Texas.
For additional help, please refer to the charts provided below.
Who is not eligible for Food Stamps in Texas?
Some Texas households may not be eligible for SNAP benefits regardless of their income or assets. These people include:
- All unauthorized immigrants
- Students attending college more than half time
- Lawfully present immigrants
- Individuals who are on strike
Unemployed adults without children in the home who do not have disabilities are limited to three months of SNAP benefits every three years in many areas of the country, and states have broad authority to extend work requirements to many other SNAP households.
For more information on this, please refer to the TX Food Stamps Work Requirements listed below.
Texas Food Stamp Work Requirements
If you are an Able-Bodied Adult Without Dependents (ABAWD) – meaning you are between the ages of 18 and 49, are able to work, and do not have any children or dependents who does not – then you must comply with the Texas SNAP Work Requirements to continue receiving benefits.
The rules state that ABAWDs can only get food stamp benefits for 3 months in any 3-year period, unless they meet certain work requirements or are excused.
However, there are exceptions to the 3-month limit.
If you are an ABAWD, you may be exempted from the time limit work requirements if you:
- Work an average of at least 20 hours per week each month in unsubsidized
employment; or - Participate 20 hours per week in an approved employment and training program; or
- Participate in community service by volunteering at a nonprofit organization.
You may be exempt from meeting work requirements if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Are physically or mentally unable to work 20 hours a week.
- Receive Retirement, Survivors and Disability Insurance due to disability or blindness, or receives Supplemental Security Income or State Disability Assistance.
- Receive or are an applicant for unemployment benefits.
- Participate in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program.
- Attend training or college at least half-time and meet the student eligibility criteria to receive food assistance.
- Care for an incapacitated person or a child under age 6.
- Are pregnant.
- Are a victim of domestic violence.
- Reside in a household with a child under age 18.
To learn more about the work requirements for Texas food stamps, check out the USDA Work Requirements page for more information.
How much will I receive in Texas Food Stamps?
The amount of food stamps you will receive comes down to a few major factors – your household income, household size, and the number of allowable deductions.
Other factors such as assets and resources (i.e. cash, bank accounts, etc.) play a role in how much you can expect to receive in monthly food benefits.
Additionally, your monthly household income includes money earned from work, as well as payments from Social Security, Unemployment, and SSI.
Use the table below to find out the maximum amount of TX food stamp benefits you could receive each month.
| Maximum Texas SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for 2022 | |
| 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 out exactly how much you can expect to receive in Texas food stamp benefits each month, check out our Texas Food Stamps Calculator.
Apply for Texas Food Stamps & EBT Card Benefits
There are four ways you can apply for food stamps in Texas – online, in-person, by phone or mail.
For help submitting your Texas SNAP Application, follow the step-by-step instructions provided below.
Texas Food Stamps 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 Your Texas Benefits 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 a 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 the following address:
HHSC
PO Box 149024
Austin, TX 78714-9968
Documents You Need to Apply for TX Food Stamps
To successfully submit your TX SNAP Application, it’s important that you gather all the necessary documents needed to apply for food stamps in Texas.
Here is a list of information and documentation you will need to apply for Texas Food Stamps:
- Citizenship verification (Social Security Number)
- Government-issued ID for proof of identity, date of birth and state residency
- Proof of Income (W-2 or paystubs)
- Proof of Expenses (utility bills, etc.)
- Disability Approval Letter (if applicable)
- Alien or Citizenship Documentation
For proof of citizenship, you will need to present one of the following documents:
- Birth certificate
- Military service records
- US Passport
- Naturalization Certificate
- Permanent resident card/Green card
After you Apply for Texas SNAP Benefits
After you apply for food stamps in Texas, you must complete an interview with a representative at your local county TX HHS Office.
Your interview may be over the phone or face-to-face. You will receive a letter in the mail with more information regarding your food stamps interview.
If you are elderly or physically unable to travel for a face-to-face interview, you can apply for a waiver, which is granted on a case by case basis based on hardship.
If your waiver request is granted, the face-to-face interview will be replaced with a phone interview.
During the interview, you will be required to provide verification of your income and expenses.
How long will it take to receive Texas Food Stamp benefits?
If your Texas SNAP Application is approved, you will start receiving benefits no later than 30 days from the date you submit your application.
In addition, once you are approved for Texas food stamp benefits, you will receive a Texas Lone Star EBT Card in the mail.
An EBT Card, also known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card is similar to a bank debit card.
Your Texas EBT Card will be used to access your monthly food stamp benefits at grocery stores and online retailers.
To learn more about the Texas EBT Card, check out our Texas Food Stamp FAQ Page.
Food You Can Buy With EBT in Texas
Texas Food Stamps benefits can be used to purchase any food EXCEPT heated foods.
See below for the complete list of foods you are allowed to buy.
Additionally, we have listed below foods that you CANNOT buy with your Texas EBT card.
Here’s what you can buy with Texas SNAP EBT:
- Fruits and vegetables;
- Meat, poultry, and fish;
- Dairy products;
- Breads and cereals;
- Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
- Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.
What you CANNOT buy with the Texas EBT
Here is the complete list of what you CANNOT use Texas SNAP EBT benefits to buy:
- Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
- Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
- Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
- Prepared Foods fit for immediate consumption
- Hot foods
- Any nonfood items such as:
– Pet foods
– Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
– Hygiene items, cosmetics
It is very important that you only buy the foods allowed under the Food Stamp program. Engaging in any illegal use of the EBT card may cause you to lose your benefits.
Additionally, once your benefits are revoked, you will never be allowed on the program or be eligible for food stamps again.
For more help with what you can and cannot buy with your Texas Lone Star EBT Card, check our the complete TX SNAP Eligible Food List.
Texas Emergency Food Help
If you are facing a life-threatening situation and need immediate help with food, there is assistance available to you.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program provides Texas residents with immediate access to nutritious meals.
Families with resources worth $100 or less, and monthly income less than $150 will qualify for Emergency Food Assistance in Texas.
To apply for emergency SNAP in Texas, visit an HHSC benefits office or call 2-1-1 in your phone.
In addition, there is immediate help available at participating Texas food banks, food pantries, soup kitchens and other feeding sites.
To learn more and find out how to get help now find a local Texas food bank near you.
TX Food Stamps Help – Customer Service Phone Number
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.
Texas SNAP Eligibility Questions
We hope this article on the Texas SNAP Eligibility Requirements for 2022 was helpful to you!
If you have additional questions about how to qualify for food stamp benefits in Texas, please let us know in the comments section below.
In addition, we are happy to help answer any other questions you may have about the Texas food stamps program.
In the meantime, check out our other articles on Texas food stamps:
Food Stamp Calculator in Texas for 2022
How much will a family of 4 get in Texas SNAP Benefits?
Texas Food Stamp Income Limits for 2022
How to get more Food Stamps in Texas
Get 50% OFF Amazon Prime with Texas EBT Card
