Christmas Week SNAP Update: Find Out If You’re Getting Food Benefits in Texas

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, is a federal government program that helps people buy healthy food to maintain good health.

Although SNAP is overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the program operates at the state level.

In Texas, the government organization Texas Health and Human Services caters to the specific needs of residents.

Eligible people to receive SNAP benefits in Texas will receive monthly benefits on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, which in Texas is known as the Lone Star Card and works like a debit or credit card.

Money can be used to buy important foods such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, fruits, and vegetables, as long as they are not hot items, although, with this card, the purchase of tobacco, alcohol, or other services or to pay outstanding bills is prohibited.

Low-income households can apply for the plan, as can unemployed people, although there are conditions for people between 18 and 52 years of age, such as time restrictions on SNAP benefits and the possibility of looking for work. These do not apply to pregnant or disabled women.

To claim benefits, a household with a single person can receive a maximum of $2,005 per month, while a household with a family of five has a limit of $4,832. Families of more than five are allowed an additional $707 per person to prevent abuse of the program.

Who Will Receive Their SNAP Payment In Texas In The Last Week Of December?

The payment date for SNAP benefits is set according to the beneficiary’s Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number, which can be found on official SNAP documents.

It is worth mentioning that payments are made from the 1st to the 28th of each month.

This is the payment schedule for benefits for the last week of December:

• SNAP Edge Number 79-81: December 23
• SNAP Edge Number 82-85: December 24
• SNAP Edge Number 86-88: December 25
• SNAP EDG Number 89-92: December 26
• SNAP EDG Number 93-95: December 27
• SNAP EDG Number 96-99: December 28

Eligibility And Benefits

SNAP is designed to assist low-income households in purchasing nutritious food. Eligible participants can use their benefits via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, known as the Lone Star Card in Texas.

This card functions similarly to a debit card and can be used at approved retailers to buy essential food items such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and cereals.

However, SNAP benefits cannot be used for non-food items like alcohol or tobacco.

The amount of assistance provided through SNAP varies based on household size and income. For example, a single-person household may receive up to $291 per month, while a family of four could receive up to $973.

These amounts are crucial for families during the holiday season when food expenses can increase significantly.