SNAP Benefits Update: How To Apply for Extra $95 Food Stamp Payments in Texas

SNAP benefits payments have been a huge help to struggling Americans amid the pandemic, with every state administering its own rules on the program.

In January 2021, the executive order was issued for Economic Relief Related to the COVID-1 pandemic, which directed all federal agencies to consider administrative actions to address the current economic crisis brought by the pandemic.

The executive order also called for the consideration to allow larger emergency allotments for the lowest-income SNAP households.

Some states have extended their emergency allotments through November 2022. These states were California, Colorado, New York, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, and Texas, among others.

SNAP Benefits Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced last week that the Health and Human Services Commission will provide households with more than $334.5 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The emergency allotments for SNAP households in Texas are expected to benefit more than 1.6 million Texas households amid the rising costs of groceries, electricity, and other basic goods.

Abbott noted in a statement that the state of Texas continues to provide the assistance and support needed to help Texans stay healthy and take care of their loved ones.

All households eligible for SNAP benefits will receive at least $95 in emergency allotments. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved HHSC's proposal to extend the number of SNAP benefits depending on family size.

HHSC administers the program in the state and eligible citizens are set to receive the payments by November 30.

The Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner, Wayne Salter said the agency hopes the additional allotments will provide nourishing meals to Texas residents in need.

State SNAP agencies were allowed to issue the emergency allotments on a month-to-month basis to all SNAP benefits recipients.

Usually, SNAP benefits recipients do not need to apply for the extra allotments as states can choose to keep providing monthly emergency allotments as long as there is a national public health emergency in place, as reported by Yahoo Finance.

In Texas, citizens can check their SNAP benefits through YourTexasBenefits.com or by using the Your Texas Benefits mobile app.

Food Stamp Payments Delay in Texas

SNAP benefits recipients in Texas have been experiencing delays in receiving their benefits since August.

Oni Prout noted that he has been relying on SNAP to pay for food. Prout is disabled and noted that the delay has made him ask family for food, or go to a friend's house.

HHSC in Texas explained that the increase in applications and staffing shortages has made the backlog even more challenging.

The agency added that it has committed to increasing capacity and retaining staff so that applications can be processed as quickly as possible.

Tiffany Young, assistant press officer with HHSC, said in September that the agency has decreased eligibility advisor vacancies from 18.72% in January 2022 to 13.28% in September.

Young explained that state has increased base salaries for clerks, eligibility advisors, and supervisors.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: P-EBT SNAP UPDATE - NOVEMBER 2022 - NEW STATES APPROVED FOR EMERGENCY ALLOTMENTS, FUTURE OF SNAP EA - from UI Vlogs 2021