SNAP Benefits 2022: Here's the Real Reason Why There Are Delays in Your Texas Payments

SNAP benefits in Texas has been extended with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott announcing that the Texas Health and Human Services will be distributing emergency SNAP benefits for August.

Go Banking Rates reported that more than $305.million SNAP benefits will be provided to eligible SNAP households, with the emergency allotments seen to help 1.5 million Texas households.

Abbott noted in a press release that the extension of emergency SNAP benefits ensures that Texans have the means to stay healthy by helping them buy nutritious food.

Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter said that they are proud to continue providing nourishment to families through healthy food.

SNAP benefit is a federal program that helps provide food assistance to eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas.

The emergency allotments for the month of August are on top of more than $7.6 billion in benefits earlier provided to Texans since April 2020.

SNAP Benefits 2022 Delay

Despite the extension of the benefits, Texans have been struggling to receive their own SNAP benefit payments.

The Texas HHSC noted that Texans waiting for SNAP benefits have been facing longer waiting time due to both an influx of applications and staffing shortages, according to a Dallas News report.

Tiffany Young, an assistant press officer with Texas Health and Human Services, said that the workforce and workload challenges throughout the pandemic have taken a toll on processing times. Young added that HHSC is taking action to process the cases immediately and ensure timely access to important benefits.

One resident who was affected by the delays in SNAP benefits is Oni Prout. Prout is disabled and lives in Fort Worth on a fixed income. He said the delays prompted him to ask his family for food or go to a friend's house.

Prout shared that he reapplied for SNAP benefits on June 3 and was under the impression that he was supposed to receive a response to his application within 30 days. The 47-year-old Texan said he has been borrowing money to pay for food, which he cannot really afford to do as he has a fixed income.

Prout then applied for the Texas Simplified Application project, which is a program that would expedite the process for elderly and disabled people.

SNAP Benefits Update

Families of four receiving the maximum allotment of SNAP benefits are now receiving $835 in 48 states and Washington, D.C.

States across the nation and D.C. is seen to have an increase of $20 in the minimum benefit. Meanwhile, Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, and the U.S. Virgin Islands are also expected to have an increase in their rates, as reported by Go Banking Rates.

The maximum allotments range for Alaska is set from $1,074 to $1,667. Meanwhile, Hawaii has a maximum allotment worth around $1,573.

SNAP benefits increased between 2021 and 2022 to address economic impacts, such as the pandemic, inflation, and other financial hurdles.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Texas extending emergency SNAP benefits for month of July - from FOX 7 Austin