Texas SNAP Income Limits 2026 – $1,696 to $3,483

✓ Last Verified: October 22, 2025
✓ Valid Period: October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
✓ Official Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Texas Health and Human Services

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — also known as food stamps — helps Texans buy groceries each month using the Lone Star EBT card. Managed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHS), SNAP supports families, students, and seniors facing financial hardship.

For October 2025 through September 2026, Texas food stamp income limits are:

• 1 person: $1,696 per month
• 2 people: $2,292 per month
• 3 people: $2,888 per month
• 4 people: $3,483 per month

These are gross income limits. Gross income means all the money you get before taxes.

Use our 2026 updated Texas SNAP calculator to estimate your benefits, or follow our Texas SNAP application guide to apply online, by phone, or in person.

How Much Can You Make and Still Get SNAP in Texas?

Here’s the complete Texas SNAP income chart for 2025-2026:

Gross Income and Net Income Limits

Important: These numbers come from the federal poverty level (FPL). Texas follows federal SNAP guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Understanding Texas Food Stamp Income Guidelines

Your household income determines if you qualify for SNAP benefits in Texas (also called food stamps or your Lone Star Card).

What Counts as Income?

Everything your family gets each month:

• Paychecks from work
• Social Security payments
• Unemployment benefits
• Disability income
• Child support you receive
• Any other money coming in

Two Types of Income Limits

Gross income = All money before taxes
Net income = Money after allowed deductions

Most Texas families must meet both limits. If someone in your home is 60 or older, or disabled, you only need to meet the net income limit.

Texas SNAP Eligibility Requirements

Beyond income, you need to meet these basic requirements:

✓ Live in Texas – Be a resident of the state
✓ Have a Social Security number – For everyone applying
✓ Be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
✓ Have limited assets – $3,000 in the bank ($4,500 if elderly/disabled)
✓ Meet work requirements – If you’re an able-bodied adult

Your home and car don’t count toward the asset limit.

How Much Money Can I Have in the Bank?

Texas has asset limits (also called resource limits) for SNAP.

Asset Limits for 2025-2026:

• Most households: $3,000 in cash, bank accounts, and savings
• Households with someone 60+ or disabled: $4,500

What DOESN’T Count as an Asset:

✓ Your home (house or apartment you live in)
✓ Your household items and furniture
✓ One car per adult (up to $4,650 in value)
✓ Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension)
✓ Life insurance with cash value under $1,500
✓ SSI or TANF benefits you receive

What DOES Count as an Asset:

✗ Money in checking or savings accounts
✗ Cash you have at home
✗ Stocks or bonds
✗ Extra vehicles worth more than $4,650

Maximum Texas SNAP Benefits for 2025-2026

These are the maximum monthly benefit amounts your household can receive on your Lone Star Card.

Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits:

Your actual benefit depends on your net income. Here’s how it works:

Benefit Calculation Formula: Maximum benefit – (30% of your net income) = Your monthly SNAP benefit

Example: A family of 4 with $1,047 net income:

• Maximum benefit: $994
• Minus 30% of net income: $994 – $314 = $680 per month

The minimum benefit is $24 per month for small households.

Who Qualifies for Texas Food Stamps?

Besides income limits, you must meet these basic requirements:

Citizenship Requirements

✓ U.S. citizen, OR
✓ Legal immigrant who has lived in the U.S. for 5+ years, OR
✓ Refugee, asylee, or certain other qualified immigrants
✓ Children under 18 (even if parents don’t qualify)

Residency Requirements

✓ Live in Texas
✓ Provide proof of your Texas address
✓ Apply in the county where you live

Other Basic Requirements

✓ Have a Social Security number (or proof you applied for one)
✓ Meet work requirements (if you’re an able-bodied adult)
✓ Provide identification (driver’s license, state ID, or birth certificate)

Texas SNAP Work Requirements

Most adults ages 18-64 must follow work rules to get food stamps.

General Work Requirements (Everyone):

1. Register for work when you apply
2. Don’t quit your job without a good reason
3. Take a job if one is offered to you
4. Join a work training program if Texas HHS assigns you

Special Rules for ABAWDs (Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents)

If you’re 18-52 years old with no kids or dependents, stricter rules apply:

⚠️ You must work at least 80 hours per month OR participate in a work program
⚠️ If you don’t, you can only get SNAP for 3 months in 3 years

Who is exempt from ABAWD rules:

• Parents with children under 14
• People over 52 years old
• Pregnant women
• Disabled individuals
• Students in college (if meeting work-study requirements)
• People receiving disability benefits

Note: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 made some work requirement changes starting November 1, 2025. Check with Texas HHS for current rules.

How to Apply for Texas SNAP Benefits

You have three easy ways to apply for Texas food stamps:

1. Apply Online (Fastest Way)

✅ Go to YourTexasBenefits.com
✅ Create an account
✅ Fill out the application (takes 20-30 minutes)
✅ Upload your documents
✅ Available 24/7 from any device

2. Apply in Person

✅ Visit your local Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) office
✅ Bring your documents with you
✅ Staff can help you fill out the application
✅ Find your local office at YourTexasBenefits.com

3. Apply by Phone

✅ Call 2-1-1 (Texas information line)
✅ Select Option 2 for SNAP application help
✅ They can mail you a paper application
✅ Available in English and Spanish

Documents You Need for Your Application

Gather these important documents before you apply:

Proof of Identity

• Driver’s license or Texas state ID
• Passport
• Birth certificate (if no photo ID)

Proof of Income (Last 30 Days)

• Pay stubs from your job
• Self-employment records or business income
• Social Security award letters
• Disability benefit statements
• Unemployment benefit papers
• Pension or retirement statements
• Child support documentation

Proof of Texas Residency

• Utility bill (electric, gas, water)
• Lease or rental agreement
• Mortgage statement
• Mail showing your current Texas address

Other Important Documents

• Social Security cards for everyone in your household
• Bank statements (all accounts)
• Vehicle registration
• Medical bills (if you have someone 60+ or disabled)
• Child care expenses receipts
• Proof of rent or mortgage payment

The SNAP Interview Process

After you apply, Texas HHS will schedule an eligibility interview with you.

What Happens During the Interview:

✓ When: Within 30 days of your application
✓ How: Usually by phone (in-person available if you prefer)
✓ What they ask: Questions about your income, expenses, and household
✓ How long: Usually 15-30 minutes

Regular Application Timeline:

• Application received: Day 1
• Interview scheduled: Within 10 days
• Decision made: Within 30 days
• Benefits start: Back to your application date (if approved)

Emergency (Expedited) SNAP:

You can get benefits in 7 days if:

• You have less than $100 income and less than $100 in the bank, OR
• Your monthly rent/mortgage plus utilities cost more than your income and cash combined

Who needs expedited service:

• Homeless individuals
• Migrant workers
• People with emergency food needs

Using Your Texas Lone Star Card

Once approved, you’ll get a Lone Star Card – your Texas EBT card for food stamps.

How the Lone Star Card Works:

✓ It looks like a debit card
✓ SNAP benefits load automatically each month
✓ Use it at grocery stores, supermarkets, and farmers markets
✓ Works at any store that accepts SNAP/EBT
✓ You’ll create a 4-digit PIN number

When Do Benefits Load?

Texas sends SNAP benefits between the 1st and 15th of each month. Your payment date depends on the last digit of your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.

Example schedule:

• EDG ends in 0: Benefits on the 1st
• EDG ends in 1-3: Benefits on days 1-3
• EDG ends in 4-6: Benefits on days 4-6
• EDG ends in 7-9: Benefits on days 7-10

What You Can Buy with SNAP:

✅ Allowed:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, chicken, fish
• Dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt)
• Bread and cereals
• Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks
• Seeds and plants (to grow food)

❌ NOT Allowed:

• Alcohol or beer
• Cigarettes or tobacco
• Hot prepared foods
• Vitamins or medicine
• Pet food
• Household supplies (soap, paper products)
• NEW for April 2026: Candy and sweetened drinks (5+ grams added sugar)

How to Calculate Your SNAP Benefits

Want to know how much you might get? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Calculate Your Gross Income

Add up ALL income sources for everyone in your household:

• Job wages
• Self-employment profit
• Social Security
• Disability payments
• Unemployment
• Child support
• Any other money

Example: $1,500 (job) + $550 (Social Security) = $2,050 gross income

Step 2: Calculate Your Net Income

Now subtract these deductions:

1. Earned income deduction: Subtract 20% of job wages
   ($1,500 x 20% = $300)
   New total: $2,050 – $300 = $1,750
2. Standard deduction: Subtract $209 (for 1-3 people) or $223 (for 4+ people)
   New total: $1,750 – $223 = $1,527
3. Dependent care costs: Subtract daycare or child care
   New total: $1,527 – $362 = $1,165
4. Medical expenses: For 60+ or disabled only, subtract costs over $35
   New total: $1,165 – $0 = $1,165
5. Excess shelter costs: If rent + utilities are more than half your adjusted income
   Half of $1,165 = $582
   If rent + utilities = $700, excess is $700 – $582 = $118
   New total: $1,165 – $118 = $1,047 net income

Step 3: Calculate Your Monthly Benefit

Use this formula:

Maximum benefit for your household size – (30% of net income) = Your SNAP benefit

Example for 4-person household:

• Maximum benefit: $994
• 30% of $1,047 net income: $314
• Your monthly benefit: $994 – $314 = $680

Renewing Your Texas SNAP Benefits

Your SNAP benefits don’t last forever. You must recertify (reapply) to keep getting food stamps.

When to Renew:

• Most households: Every 6 months
• Elderly/disabled households: Every 12 months
• Working families: May need to report changes monthly

Texas HHS will send you a renewal notice before your benefits end. The notice tells you:

• Your renewal deadline
• What documents to submit
• How to complete your renewal

Don’t miss your renewal deadline! Your benefits will stop if you don’t renew on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick Links for Texas SNAP

Important Websites:

• Apply for SNAP: YourTexasBenefits.com
• Check your Lone Star Card balance: LoneStarCard.com
• Texas HHS SNAP info: HHS.Texas.gov/SNAP
• Find SNAP retailers: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator

Important Phone Numbers:

• Texas SNAP helpline: 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905)
• Lone Star Card customer service: 800-777-7328
• Report fraud: 800-252-8263

Local Texas HHS Offices:

Visit the office in your county for in-person help:

• Houston area: Multiple Harris County offices
• Dallas area: Dallas County HHS locations
• San Antonio area: Bexar County offices
• Austin area: Travis County locations

Find your local office: Visit YourTexasBenefits.com and search by ZIP code.

Important Notice

This guide provides general information about Texas SNAP benefits. For official eligibility determination and to apply for benefits, you must contact Texas Health and Human Services.

Data Sources:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (USDA FNS)
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission (Texas HHS)
• Federal Poverty Guidelines 2025-2026

Last Updated: October 22, 2025
Valid Through: September 30, 2026

Related Texas SNAP Resources

Learn more about Texas food assistance:

• Texas SNAP Benefit Calculator
• Texas Medicaid and SNAP

Need help now? Call 2-1-1 to speak with a benefits specialist in English or Spanish.