This month, more than 3.7 million beneficiaries receive allocations from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a benefit program that is intended for low-income families and individuals who struggle to make ends meet by putting food on the table.
In the state of Texas, statistically, black and Latino Texans are more likely to work in low-paying jobs compared to other white or Caucasian populations. While 6% of white Texans rely on SNAP Benefits, 20% of all Black and Hispanic families in Texas rely on these allotments, making this program a cornerstone for these communities.
In general, the populations that rely most on SNAP benefits are families with children, the elderly, people with disabilities, veterans, and workers who do not earn enough to feed their families. With Texas being one of the states with the highest cost of living in the country, food stamps are a safeguard to avoid hunger and malnutrition.
How Do SNAP Benefits Work in Texas?
Although SNAP benefits are fully covered by the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture, administrative costs are split between the federal and state governments. In Texas, administration of the SNAP program falls to the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
To achieve the goal of preventing hunger in the state, HHSC is responsible for determining the eligibility of applicants, issuing the corresponding payments, monitoring participating businesses and preventing fraud.
A state’s SNAP participation rate is influenced by the flexibility it has in changing eligibility rules. In Texas, only 7 in 10 people who qualify for SNAP are enrolled, which is one of the lowest rates in the country, as the state imposes additional barriers that make it difficult to access the program.
When will I receive my SNAP payment? August 2024 Dates
Texas organizes beneficiary payments into two groups: households that were certified before June 1, 2020, and those that were certified after that date.
Homes certified before June 1, 2020:
- August 1: EDG ends in 0
- August 3: EDG ends in 1
- August 5: EDG ends in 2
- August 6: EDG ends in 3
- August 7: EDG ends in 4
- August 9: EDG ends in 5
- August 11: EDG ends in 6
- August 12: EDG ends at 7
- August 13: EDG ends in 8
- August 15: EDG ends in 9
Homes certified after June 1, 2020:
- August 16: EDG ends at 00-03, 54-57
- August 17: EDG ends in 04-06, 58-60
- August 18: EDG ends at 07-10, 61-64
- August 19: EDG ends at 11-13, 65-67
- August 20: EDG ends at 14-17, 68-71
- August 21: EDG finishes at 18-20, 72-74
- August 22: EDG ends at 21-24, 75-78
- August 23: EDG ends at 25-27, 79-81
- August 24: EDG finishes at 28-31, 82-85
- August 25: EDG finishes at 32-34, 86-88
- August 26: EDG finishes at 35-38, 89-92
- August 27: EDG ends at 39-41, 46-49, 93-95
- August 28: EDG ends at 42-45, 50-53, 96-99
Some Texas Households Will Receive Up to $1,751 in SNAP Benefits
Maximum SNAP allotments have increased in the 48 contiguous United States, as well as the District of Columbia, Alaska, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. However, SNAP recipients in Hawaii have seen a decrease in their benefits, going from $1,794 to $1,759 for a family of four.
In the contiguous 48 states, the cost of living adjustment (COLA) has resulted in an increase of $34 per month for a family of four.
Below are the maximum SNAP allocations for the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia, for the period October 2023 to September 2024, according to the USDA website. For a one-person household, the maximum allowance is $291; for two people, it is $535; for three people, $766; and for four people, $973.
Allowances continue to increase as household size grows, reaching $1,155 for five people, $1,386 for six, $1,532 for seven, and $1,751 for eight people. For each additional person in the household, $219 is added to the maximum allowance.