Texas SNAP vs TANF: What’s the Difference?

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

SNAP and TANF are two different help programs in Texas. SNAP gives you money on a card to buy food. TANF gives you cash to pay for things like rent, utilities, and clothes. Both programs help families who don’t have much money, but they work in different ways.

✅ Quick Facts:

• SNAP gives monthly food benefits via a Lone Star Card (EBT).
• TANF gives cash assistance for essential family needs.
• Both use income and household size to determine eligibility.
• SNAP is managed by Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) and USDA.
• TANF is a state-run cash aid program for families with children.

👉 You can check your eligibility and benefit estimate using the Texas Benefits Calculator.

Which Is Better: SNAP or TANF?

It depends on your situation.

• If you need help buying food, choose SNAP.
• If you need cash for essentials, apply for TANF.
• Many families qualify for both programs to stay stable while working toward financial independence.

💡 Tip: Apply for both together on the YourTexasBenefits portal to save time.

What Is SNAP in Texas?

SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Most people call it “food stamps” or the “Lone Star Card.”

SNAP helps you buy food. The Texas government puts money on your Lone Star Card each month. You can use this card at grocery stores, farmers markets, and many other food retailers. It works just like a debit card when you check out.

What SNAP money buys:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, chicken, and fish
• Milk, cheese, and eggs
• Bread and cereal
• Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks

What SNAP money does NOT buy:

• Alcohol or tobacco
• Pet food
• Soap, paper products, or household supplies
• Hot prepared foods (in most cases)
• Vitamins or medicines

Think of SNAP as grocery money. It’s designed to make sure families have enough food to eat. The money only works for food items. You cannot take cash out of the card or buy things like shampoo or cleaning supplies.

Who Can Get SNAP in Texas?

Anyone in Texas can apply for SNAP if they have low income. You don’t need to have kids. You can be single, married, elderly, or disabled.

The main requirement is your monthly income. For 2025-2026, your household must earn at or below 165% of the federal poverty level.

2025-2026 Texas SNAP Income Limits:

Understanding the income columns:

• The first column shows gross income (money before taxes and bills)
• The second column shows net income (money after certain bills are subtracted)

Most families must meet both limits. But if someone in your home is age 60 or older, or has a disability, you only need to meet the net income limit.

Asset limits: Texas also looks at what you own. Most families can have up to $3,000 in the bank. If someone is age 60+ or disabled, you can have up to $4,500.

Good news: Your home doesn’t count. Your car (up to $22,500 value) doesn’t count either.

Here’s how to get started: Collect your pay stubs, rent receipts, and utility bills. These papers help calculate your benefit amount. Visit the official Texas SNAP website to learn more and apply online.

What Is TANF in Texas?

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The Texas government just calls it “cash assistance.”

TANF is different from SNAP. Instead of just food money, TANF gives you actual cash. You can spend this cash on anything your family needs—rent, electricity, bus fare, clothes, or food.

But TANF is much harder to get than SNAP. You must have children living with you. The income limits are very strict. And TANF doesn’t last forever—there’s a lifetime limit.

How TANF works:

• You must have kids under age 18 at home (or be pregnant in your last trimester)
• The money comes on your Lone Star Card, just like SNAP
• You get a cash benefit every month for six months at a time
• You must work or go to job training to keep getting benefits
• After 60 months total in your life, TANF stops forever

TANF is meant to be temporary help while you find work and become self-sufficient. The program includes job training, education programs, and support services like childcare assistance.

Who Can Get TANF in Texas?

TANF has very strict rules. Texas has some of the toughest TANF requirements in the country.

You must meet ALL of these:

• Have children under age 18 living with you
• Have very low income (see chart below)
• Have less than $1,000 in assets (cash, bank accounts)
• Be a U.S. citizen or legal immigrant
• Live in Texas

2025 Texas TANF Income Limits:

Why are the income limits so low?

Texas TANF is designed for families in crisis situations—those with almost no income at all. If you earn more than these amounts, you won’t qualify for TANF, but you might still qualify for SNAP.

Work requirements: Most adults getting TANF must start working or training within two months. You need to do work activities for:

• 30 hours per week (single parents)
• 35 hours per week (two-parent families)

Activities include: working a job, looking for work, job training, vocational education, or community service.

What happens next: Review the income limits carefully. If you think you qualify, gather documents showing your family’s situation. You’ll need proof of your kids, income records, and bills. Learn more at the Texas TANF program website.

Key Differences: SNAP vs TANF Side by Side

Let’s break down the biggest differences in simple terms:

Complete Comparison Chart:

The biggest takeaway: SNAP is for food only but serves many more people because it’s easier to qualify. TANF is cash for anything but has very strict rules and doesn’t last forever.

Can You Get SNAP and TANF Together?

Yes! You can receive both programs at the same time. Many Texas families do this.

Here’s how it works: If you qualify for TANF (very low income with kids), you probably also qualify for SNAP. Your TANF cash can pay rent and bills. Your SNAP benefits buy groceries. Together, they give your family more complete support.

The application is simple: You fill out one form through Texas Health and Human Services. The caseworker checks if you qualify for both programs. If you do, both benefits go on the same Lone Star Card—but they work differently:

• TANF shows up as cash (you can spend it anywhere)
• SNAP shows up as food benefits (only works for groceries)

Real-world example: Maria is a single mom with two kids. She works part-time and earns $200 per month.

• She qualifies for TANF: Gets $242 cash per month for rent and utilities
• She qualifies for SNAP: Gets about $785 per month for groceries
• Total help: Over $1,000 per month to support her family

Your action steps:

1. Go to YourTexasBenefits.com
2. Fill out one application
3. Check boxes for both SNAP and TANF
4. Attend your phone interview
5. Provide all requested documents

Processing takes about 30 days for SNAP and up to 45 days for TANF. Don’t worry—if you qualify for emergency SNAP, you might get food help in just 7 days.

How to Apply for SNAP or TANF in Texas

The application process is the same for both programs. You only need to apply once.

Three ways to apply:

Option 1: Apply Online (Fastest)

• Visit YourTexasBenefits.com
• Create a free account
• Fill out the application (takes about 30 minutes)
• Upload pictures of your documents
• Submit and wait for your interview call

Option 2: Apply by Phone

• Call 2-1-1 (it’s free)
• Press 2 for benefits assistance
• A specialist will help you apply over the phone

Option 3: Apply in Person

• Find your local Texas Health and Human Services office
• Walk in during business hours (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm)
• Ask for an application
• Staff can help you fill it out

Documents you’ll need:

• ID for everyone (driver’s license, birth certificate, state ID)
• Proof you live in Texas (utility bill, lease, mail)
• Social Security cards for everyone
• Pay stubs or proof of income
• Rent receipt or mortgage statement
• Utility bills
• Childcare bills (if you pay for daycare)

What happens after you apply:

1. Application review (1-2 days): A caseworker looks at your application
2. Interview (within 10 days): Phone call to discuss your situation (15-30 minutes)
3. Decision (within 30 days for SNAP, 45 days for TANF): You get a letter saying yes or no
4. Benefits start (within 10 days of approval): Money loads on your Lone Star Card

Emergency SNAP: If your family is in crisis (less than $150 income and less than $100 cash), you may get SNAP in just 7 days.

How Much Money Will You Receive?

The amount depends on your family size and income. Let’s break it down clearly.

SNAP Benefit Amounts (2025-2026)

Texas follows federal guidelines. These are the MAXIMUM amounts you can get:

Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits:

For each additional person, add $211.

Will I get the maximum?

Probably not. Most families get less than the maximum because Texas counts your income. The formula is:

• Take the maximum benefit for your family size
• Subtract 30% of your net income (after deductions)
• That’s your monthly SNAP benefit

Example: A family of four with $800 net income per month:

• Maximum benefit: $994
• Subtract 30% of income: $994 – ($800 × 0.30) = $994 – $240 = $754
• Monthly SNAP benefit: $754

The minimum benefit is $24 per month for households of one or two people.

TANF Benefit Amounts (2025)

TANF pays much less than SNAP. The amounts haven’t increased much in many years.

Maximum Monthly TANF Benefits:

Add $72 for each additional family member.

Your actual TANF amount depends on your family size and how much income you have. Families with zero income get the maximum. Families with some income get less.

One-Time TANF Emergency Help: Texas also offers a $1,000 one-time payment for families in crisis. You can only get this once per year if:

• You lost your job
• You’re being evicted
• You have a medical emergency
• You lost your home

Calculate your benefits: The math can be confusing. Use the free calculator on the Texas SNAP benefits page to estimate what you’ll receive.

Work Requirements Explained Simply

Both programs have work rules, but they’re different. Let’s make this simple.

SNAP Work Requirements

Who must work? Adults ages 18-52 without kids at home must work or do work activities for 80 hours per month (about 20 hours per week).

What counts as “work activities”?

• Having a job (even part-time)
• Looking for work
• Job training programs
• Workfare (community service)
• Education programs (in some cases)

What if I don’t meet the work requirement? You can only get SNAP for 3 months in a 3-year period. After 3 months, your benefits stop unless you start working or join a program.

Who doesn’t need to worry about work requirements?

• Parents with kids under age 14 at home
• Pregnant women
• People with disabilities
• People over age 52
• Students (in some cases)
• People already working 30+ hours per week

Important update: Starting November 1, 2025, new federal rules expanded work requirements to more people, including adults 55-64 and parents whose youngest child is 14-17. Talk to your caseworker about how this affects you.

TANF Work Requirements

TANF work rules are stricter and start faster.

When do I start? Within 2 months of getting TANF, you must begin work activities.

How many hours?

• Single parents: 30 hours per week minimum
• Two-parent families: 35 hours per week minimum

What activities count?

• Working a job
• Actively searching for work (40 hours per week max)
• Vocational training or education
• On-the-job training
• Community service work

What if I can’t work? Your caseworker will work with you to create a Personal Responsibility Agreement. This plan outlines what you’ll do. Texas provides help like:

• Free childcare while you work or train
• Transportation assistance
• Job training programs
• Help finding employment

What happens if I don’t follow the rules? Your TANF benefits can be reduced or stopped completely. But Texas wants you to succeed—they offer lots of support to help you meet the requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

SNAP and TANF are two very different programs that help Texas families in need. SNAP provides monthly food benefits with no time limits and serves over 3.5 million Texans. TANF offers temporary cash for basic needs but only helps families with children and lasts a maximum of 60 months.

The main differences are simple. SNAP is food-only assistance with higher income limits that anyone can get. TANF is cash for anything but requires very low income and only works for families with kids. You can receive both programs together if you meet each program’s requirements.

Getting help is easier than you think. One application at YourTexasBenefits.com checks your eligibility for both programs at once. Most applications are processed within 30-45 days. You’ll have a phone interview and need to provide documents like pay stubs and rent receipts.

Don’t wait if your family is struggling. These programs exist to help you during tough times. SNAP ensures your family has food to eat. TANF helps cover rent and bills while you work toward financial stability. Both programs include support services like job training and childcare assistance.

Check your eligibility today and apply online. If you have questions, call 2-1-1 or visit your local Texas Health and Human Services office. Staff members are there to help you understand the programs and complete your application. Visit the Texas Health and Human Services website to get started now.