SNAP Benefits 2022 Update: $317.9 Million Payments Confirmed for 1.3 Million Texas Households

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced that Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is providing more than $317.9 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for this month.

According to OAOA News, the allotments are expected to help about 1.3 million Texas households. In a press release, Abbott said, "Texans across the Lone Star State benefit from the nutritious food made available through the extension of emergency SNAP benefits."

He then thanked HHSC and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for continuing to help families remain healthy and put food on their tables.

Texas HHSC Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter noted that they were always ready to support families by providing access to fresh, nutritious foods needed for healthy families.

Salter said they were there to support families when they needed it most. The emergency June allotments are in addition to the more than $6.9 billion in benefits earlier provided to Texas since April 2020, according to the Office of the Texas Governor.

SNAP Benefits Texas

Texas SNAP benefits are sent out monthly by the Texas HHSC through Texas Lone Star Cards, which is the state's version of the federal EBT Card.

Go Banking Rates reported that the SNAP benefits could be used to purchase food, seeds, and plants to grow food in most major grocery stores and retailers.

Texas Lone Star Card can be used by swiping the card in the store's payment machine, selecting "EBT," and entering the PIN.

The receipt will show the amount left in one's SNAP account. Recipients can also check their Lone Star Card balance and view rent card activity through their online account at YourTexasBenefits.com.

Texas also has a program for households in which all members are either older adults or people with disabilities. Those eligible in the program called Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) will face an easier SNAP application process and will receive three years of benefits instead of six months.

SNAP benefits are usually deposited onto the Lone Star Cards over 15 days, starting on the 1st day of the month.

Recipients receive their SNAP benefits based on the last digit in their Eligibility Determination Group number.

SNAP Benefits 2022

The USDA noted that emergency allotments are equal to the maximum benefits for the household size. State SNAP agencies can issue emergency allotments on a month-to-month basis to all SNAP households that normally receive less than the maximum benefit.

Meanwhile, according to Go Banking Rates, households that are at or near the maximum SNAP benefit will receive little or no additional support.

EA payments can be made as long as there is a national public health emergency (PHE), with the state having a state-level emergency declaration in place. The current PHE is seen to expire on July 15.

Eligible school children and childcare programs may also receive temporary emergency food assistance during the summer months.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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