What bills count for Food Stamps in Texas?

If you are applying for food assistance in Texas or are currently receiving SNAP benefits and are trying to figure out “What bills count for Food Stamps in Texas?”, we can help. In this post, we will explain in detail what income qualifies for SNAP and what expenses are deducted when calculating net income for SNAP eligibility in Texas.

First, we will explain the Texas SNAP eligibility requirements regarding Income and Assets.

Next, we will provide the Texas SNAP Income Limits – both gross and net.

Also, we will explain what bills count for Food Stamps in Texas.

Additionally, we walk you through how to apply for SNAP in Texas.

Lastly, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Texas food stamps.

Table of Contents:

• Texas Food Stamps Eligibility (Income & Asset Test)
• What is the countable Income for Texas SNAP?
• Texas Food Stamps Income Limits
• What bills count for Food Stamps in Texas?
• How do I apply for Food Stamps in Texas?
• What counts as an asset for Food Stamps in Texas?
• Texas Food Stamps FAQs

Texas Food Stamps Eligibility (Income & Asset Test)

Under federal rules, to be eligible for SNAP benefits a household’s income and resources must meet
three tests:

Gross monthly income: that is, household income before any SNAP deductions are
applied.

Generally, this must be at or below 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG).

Net income: This is the household income after SNAP deductions are applied.

Generally, this must be at or below the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines (FPIG)

Asset Limit: To be eligible for SNAP, households without a member who is elderly (age 60 or
older) or who has a disability must have assets of $2,500 or less, and households with such a
member must have assets of $3,750 or less.

However, states are allowed to have stricter asset requirements and in Texas, the asset limits are higher. See below for details.

What is the countable Income for Texas SNAP?

To figure out your household income for SNAP, the Texas HHSC will count cash income from all sources, including:

• Earned income (before payroll taxes are deducted), and
• Unearned income, such as cash assistance, Social Security, unemployment insurance, and child support

What is the maximum income to qualify for Texas food stamps?

The Texas SNAP Income Limits for 2022 are based on your household’s total income and size.

To find out if your income meets the eligibility requirements, see below for the gross and net income limits.

What bills count for Food Stamps in Texas?

As mentioned above, you most households must meet both the gross income limit and net income limits to qualify for Texas food stamps.

To arrive at the net income, you must deduct allowable expenses from your gross income.

Below are the allowable SNAP expenses you can deduct from your gross income in order to calculate your net income.

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:

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

What counts as an asset for Food Stamps in Texas?

Generally, resources that could be available to the household to purchase food, such as amounts in bank accounts, count as assets.

In Texas, the asset limit for SNAP eligibility is $5,000.

This doe not include the home you live in.

However, it includes additional homes you may have.

In addition, Texas also uses a Vehicle Asset Test to determine SNAP eligibility.

The current limits are $15,000 for the first vehicle and $4,650 for the second or any additional vehicles.

If an applicant’s total assets exceed this limit, they do not qualify for Texas SNAP.

How do I apply for SNAP in Texas?

There are four ways to apply for SNAP in Texas:

• • You can apply for Texas SNAP online at YourTexasBenefits.com.
  • If you do not have access to a computer or mobile device, you can call 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905) and select Option 2 to apply by phone.
  • You can also apply for food stamps at a Texas Health and Human Services local office.
  • Additionally, you can download a Texas food stamps application, complete it, and mail it back to a local HHSC office.

You can also mail your application to:

HHSC, PO Box 149024,
Austin, TX 78714-9968

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).

To apply for emergency SNAP in Texas, visit an HHSC benefits office or call 2-1-1.

Texas Food Stamps FAQs

Here are the most frequently asked questions about food stamps in Texas.

What can I buy with Texas Food Stamps?

Your Texas EBT Card can be used to purchase any eligible food items at approved locations that can be consumed or prepared at home.

Here is the list of eligible items you can buy with your Texas EBT Card:

• Alcohol Mixers
• Baby Food (for example, infant formula, cereals, juices)
• Baker’s yeast
• Bottled water
• Baked Goods
• Breads and Cereals
• Cakes that are more than 50% edible
• Candy
• Coffee
• Cooking Ingredients
• Corn Husks
• Dairy Products
• Deli food (for example, cold sandwiches, subs, sushi, salads)
• Energy Drinks with a Nutrition Label
• Frozen foods (for example, Entrees, Frozen Dinners, frozen vegetables, and fruits)
• Fruits and Vegetables
•  Gift baskets (if the value of food item is at least 50% of the total price)
•  Honey
•  Ice (such as, cubed, bagged, or blocked)
•  Ice Cream
•  Lunch Meat
•  Meats, Fish, Seafood, and Poultry
•  Non-Alcoholic Beverages
•  Nutrition and Dietary Supplements
•  Organic foods
•  Rotisserie Chicken (If it is in a cold display case)
•  Seeds
•  Slimfast, Muscle Milk, Ensure
•  Soft Drinks (Soda)
•  Spices
•  Sushi (deli packaged sushi to go)
•  Uncooked Pizza
•  Vegan foods
• Vegetable Plants

Please note, this is not an exhaustive list. However, we made sure to include our most frequently searched items by our readers.

Can You Use Texas EBT to Shop Online for Delivery?

Yes, you can use your Texas EBT card to make purchases online at the following grocery stores:

• ALDI
• Amazon
• 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
• Super 1 Foods
• Walmart

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 do I report food stamps fraud in Texas?

You can report SNAP fraud in Texas in two ways: online here or by calling the toll-free fraud hotline at 1-800-436-6184.

If you wish to remain anonymous, do not provide your name as it may be subject to public disclosure.

If you choose not to remain anonymous, please provide your name and phone number so OIG investigators may contact you if any additional information is needed.

What bills count for food stamps in Texas? Summary

We hope our answer to the question “What bills count for 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:
What can I buy with the Texas Food Stamps card?
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