While many social programs are being cut and disbanded under Trump, it seems like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) might still have some more life left in it. Formerly known as Food Stamps, this program helps low income families to be able to afford food and other essentials depending on the region. But in order to make the best of this program it is important to know when it is distributed, and although it is a federally sponsored program, the running of it is left to the states, and in the case we are looking at today, Texas, that is the Health and Human Services Commission.
The reason to have the SNAP program be state run is simple, the needs of citizens are very varied across the country and it helps to have rules that are finetuned to the way each state lives. Plus, when an area suffers a disaster, that gives each individual state the ability to temporarily (and quickly) modify the parameters in order to help their beneficiaries more effectively.
The SNAP program in the state of Texas, payments for the month of May
Since as we have stated each state manages the program differently, wat qualifies a family in each state can also vary, so in order to get one of the Electronic Benefit Cards or EBT Card (in which benefits are put in so that beneficiaries can use them in approved establishments) a person or a family will need to meet certain requirements. In the state of Texas, this card is called a Lone Star Card and it works as a debit card, with money being automatically subtracted every time it is swiped until the funds run out.
To get one of these cards, you must be either an unemployed individual, part of a low-income household or have some sort of special needs that allow you to qualify. Since income is the most common limitation, in Texas a single person may receive assistance if they earn less than $2,005 per month while a family of five can have an income of up to $4,832, with an additional $707 allowed for each extra person.
While in general low-income households may be eligible for the program, as well as unemployed individuals, there are specific rules for adults between 18 and 52 years old without children, such as having to look for work or undergo training. However, these rules do not apply to pregnant women or people with disabilities as it is understood that their circumstances are different.
The cards have very limited uses and cannot be swiped in every establishment, it needs to be approved by each state (as a fun surprise, some states may not approve a business but the card may be able to be swiped in another state) and can only be used to buy real groceries, such as fruits, vegetables, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Some gift baskets may be included as long as they are primarily food, but if you try to purchase anything containing alcohol or tobacco, the card will not go through. In some very specific circumstances and very specific states (natural disasters and New York respectively) you might be able to use your EBT Card to pay hot a hot meal, but in general in the state of Texas that is also not allowed.
For those that are curious about the payment dates for May, they are dependent on the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number, which is found in the official SNAP program documents. Benefits in Texas are distributed throughout the month, so the calendar looks something like this:
- EDG numbers 72-74: April 21
- EDG numbers 75-78: April 22
- EDG numbers 79-81: April 23
- EDG numbers 82-85: April 24
- EDG numbers 86-88: April 25
- EDG numbers 89-92: April 26
- EDG numbers 93-95: April 27