How SNAP may be able to access works in Texas

SNAP in Texas is run by the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), not a federal office. To receive SNAP benefits in Texas, you must meet income limits, citizenship or immigration status requirements, and work rules that vary by household type. Texas uses the same federal income thresholds as other states, but your actual monthly benefit depends on your household size, income after deductions, and assets.

The process starts with submitting information to HHSC through their online portal, by mail, or in person at a local HHSC office. You will need to provide proof of identity, residency in Texas, income, and citizenship or immigration status. Processing typically takes 30 days, though expedited SNAP (which pays within 7 days) is available if you meet certain conditions.

Texas counts your household as everyone living with you and buying food together, not just family members. This matters because a larger household can have higher income and still receive benefits. Your assets also matter — you generally cannot have more than $2,500 in countable resources, or $3,750 if your household includes someone age 60 or older.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household income must fall below the federal limit for your household size, which is roughly 130 percent of the federal poverty line, though some deductions lower your countable income.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen, national, or may have access to immigrant; most non-citizens do not meet the immigration requirement, though some categories like refugees and asylees do.
  • Most adults between 16 and 59 must work at least 20 hours per week or participate in a work program, with some exceptions for parents of young children and people with disabilities.
  • Texas counts your household as people living with you who buy and cook food together, and your countable assets cannot exceed $2,500 (or $3,750 if someone is 60 or older).
  • You can submit your information online through the HHSC portal, by mail, or in person at a local office, and processing takes about 30 days unless you request expedited SNAP.

Income limits and how deductions work

Texas uses federal income thresholds that change each year. For 2024, a household of one cannot earn more than roughly $1,550 per month gross income; a household of two cannot earn more than roughly $2,100; a household of three cannot earn more than roughly $2,650. These are gross income figures before deductions. HHSC publishes the exact current limits on their website because they shift annually.

Your actual countable income is lower than your gross income because HHSC allows certain deductions. These include a standard deduction (which varies by household size), a 20 percent deduction from earned income, dependent care costs, medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members, and shelter costs above a threshold. If your deductions bring your countable income below the limit, you may still receive benefits even if your gross income exceeds it.

Self-employment income counts as earned income, but you can deduct business expenses. Unearned income — such as Social Security, unemployment, child support, or rental income — counts at full value with no 20 percent deduction. If you receive both types, HHSC calculates each separately and adds them together.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or a may have access to immigrant to receive SNAP in Texas. may have access to immigrants include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and people granted withholding of removal. Most other non-citizens, including those with work permits or pending immigration cases, do not meet this requirement.

If you are a lawful permanent resident, you generally must have been in the United States for at least five years to receive SNAP, though some categories (refugees, asylees, people granted withholding of removal) are exempt from the five-year wait. Refugees and asylees can receive SNAP for seven years from the date they were granted that status, regardless of how long they have been in the country.

You will need to provide proof of citizenship or immigration status when you submit your information. Acceptable documents include a birth certificate or passport for citizens, a green card or I-797 approval notice for permanent residents, and an I-94 or I-131 for refugees or asylees. If you cannot provide original documents, HHSC may accept other forms of proof and can verify status directly with federal immigration authorities.

Work requirements and exemptions

Most adults between 16 and 59 must work at least 20 hours per week, participate in a work program, or do a combination of both. Work includes any paid employment, self-employment, or participation in a work-related program such as job training, community service, or education. The 20 hours can be spread across multiple jobs or combined with program participation.

Several groups are exempt from the work requirement. These include parents or caretakers of children under age 6, people age 60 or older, people with disabilities, pregnant people, people caring for a disabled household member, and people who are homeless or in a shelter. Students enrolled full-time in school may also be exempt, depending on their age and household situation. If you think you fall into an exempt category, you can explain your situation when you submit your information.

If you do not meet the work requirement and are not exempt, your SNAP benefits will end after three months in a 36-month period. Some Texas counties operate work programs that can help you meet the requirement; HHSC can tell you whether your county has one and how to join.

Asset limits and what counts

Your household's countable assets cannot exceed $2,500, or $3,750 if your household includes someone age 60 or older or someone who is disabled. Assets are things you own that can be turned into cash, such as money in a bank account, stocks, or a second vehicle. Your primary home and primary vehicle do not count toward the limit, no matter their value.

Retirement accounts such as IRAs and 401(k)s do not count as assets for SNAP purposes. Life insurance policies do not count unless they have a cash surrender value over $1,500. Vehicles beyond your primary vehicle do count; if you own two cars, only one is excluded from the asset limit. Money in a dedicated account for a disabled person's future care (called an ABLE account) also does not count.

When you submit your information, you will need to list any bank accounts, investment accounts, or other assets your household owns. HHSC may verify this information by contacting your bank or checking state records. If your assets exceed the limit, you will not receive SNAP unless you reduce them below the threshold.

How to submit your information to HHSC

You can submit your information through three routes: online at the HHSC portal (yourtexasbenefits.com), by mail to your local HHSC office, or in person at an HHSC office. The online portal is fastest and allows you to upload documents directly. You will need to create an account with your email address and a password, then answer questions about your household, income, assets, and citizenship status.

If you explore by mail, send your completed process form (Form H1010) along with copies of your proof documents to your local HHSC office. You can find your local office address on the HHSC website by entering your zip code. If you explore in person, bring original documents or certified copies; HHSC staff can help you fill out the form and answer questions about your situation.

After you submit, HHSC will send you a notice by mail within 30 days telling you whether you have been approved, denied, or need to provide more information. If you request expedited SNAP (which you can do on the process form), HHSC will make a decision within 7 days if you meet the expedited criteria. Expedited SNAP is available if your household has little or no income, or if you are homeless or in a shelter.

Documents you will need to provide

HHSC requires proof of several things. For identity, bring a driver's license, passport, state ID, or birth certificate. For residency in Texas, bring a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. For income, bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, a letter from your employer, or proof of benefits such as Social Security statements.

For citizenship or immigration status, bring a birth certificate or passport if you are a citizen, a green card or I-797 approval notice if you are a permanent resident, or an I-94 or I-131 if you are a refugee or asylee. If you do not have original documents, tell HHSC when you submit your information; they can verify status through other means. For assets, bring bank statements, investment account statements, or proof of vehicle ownership if you own more than one vehicle.

You do not need to provide all documents at once. When you submit your process, include what you have. HHSC will ask for anything missing in a follow-up notice, and you will have 10 days to send it. If you miss the important date, your process may be denied, but you can reapply at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get SNAP if I am receiving unemployment benefits?

Yes. Unemployment income counts as unearned income at full value, but it does not disqualify you from SNAP. Your total household income (including unemployment) must still fall below the income limit after deductions. Many people receiving unemployment also receive SNAP because their total income remains low enough to meet the threshold.

What happens if my income changes after I start receiving SNAP?

You must report changes in income within 10 days. If your income increases, your SNAP benefit may decrease or stop. If your income decreases, your benefit may increase. You can report changes online through yourtexasbenefits.com, by phone, by mail, or in person at your local HHSC office. HHSC will recalculate your benefit based on the new income.

Do I lose SNAP if I start working part-time?

Not automatically. Part-time work counts toward the 20-hour work requirement, and the 20 percent deduction from earned income may keep your countable income low enough to remain under the limit. Your benefit will likely decrease because your income increased, but you may still receive some SNAP. Report your new job to HHSC within 10 days so they can recalculate your benefit.

Can students receive SNAP in Texas?

Full-time students between 18 and 49 are generally not may be able to access unless they work at least 20 hours per week, are parents of a child under 6, are disabled, or are homeless. Part-time students or students under 18 may be may be able to access if they meet other requirements. If you are a student, explain your enrollment status when you submit your information so HHSC can determine whether you meet an exception.

How long does SNAP last once I am approved?

SNAP benefits continue as long as you remain under the income and asset limits and meet work requirements (if they explore to you). HHSC will recertify your case every 12 months, sending you a notice asking you to confirm your information is still correct. You must respond to the recertification notice or your benefits will stop. If your situation changes between recertifications, report it within 10 days.