The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide over $305.5 million in August SNAP benefits, and each eligible household will receive at least $95 in emergency aid, according to a news release. The emergency allotment is expected to show up in eligible Texans’ benefit accounts by Aug. 31.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Texas’ request to extend the emergency benefits, which have been in place since April 2020. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Texans have received over $7.6 billion in SNAP benefits, according to the release.
SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income people and families across the nation. SNAP funds can be used to buy food and garden seeds, but tobacco, alcohol and nonedible items are not eligible for SNAP purchases, according to the HHSC.
Most people ages 16-59 must follow work rules to receive benefits, meaning they must be actively looking for a job, have a job or be in an approved training program. Pregnant people and people with disabilities may not have to work to be eligible, according to the HHSC.
Texans can apply for benefits at YourTexasBenefits.com.
For more information about SNAP in Texas, visit the HHSC’s website.
