Several states, like Texas, are providing emergency SNAP benefits to help low-income families and individuals buy food and groceries. Around 42 million Americans benefit from SNAP benefits payments.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has allowed several states to issue emergency allotments based on a public health emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Numerous states have announced extensions for the emergency allotments in SNAP benefits payments through December 2022, such as Colorado, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Ohio, Oregon, New Mexico, and Texas.

Emergency allotments are made possible through the authorization of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which aims to address temporary food needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, participating states have issued their respective households emergency allotments starting in March 2020.

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SNAP Benefits Texas

Emergency SNAP benefits in Texas have been extended after state Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing more than $341.4 million in emergency SNAP food benefits for December.

The emergency allotments are seen to help more than 1.6 million households in Texas. In a press release, Abbott noted that the extension of emergency allotments in December ensures that Texan families can "stay healthy and take care of their loved ones" during the holiday season.

Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter also said they were thankful "to have an opportunity to help Texans provide for their families throughout the holidays."

All SNAP households will receive a minimum of $95 in emergency allotments, and this additional emergency allotment should appear in SNAP benefits beneficiaries' accounts by December 31.

Interested applicants for benefits provided by the state of Texas can visit https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home. The website also has a mobile app counterpart.

Texans can apply for SNAP benefits and Medicaid.

Delays in SNAP Benefits Payments

In July, some East Texans expressed a problem regarding their SNAP benefits payments, saying they are facing delays in receiving the food stamp payments.

At the time, HHSC said they saw an increase in SNAP application volumes across the state since the start of the pandemic. A SNAP benefits recipient said everything was going up, including gas and rent.

Papa Murphy's owner Adam Turner noted that at least 15% of their business is just EBT, and those people are regulars. It was reported that SNAP applications per month went up by 65% in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic months.

HHSC previously explained that processing the applications could take longer, with the higher demand and shorter staff. The agency added that they are addressing the situation by conducting job fairs and eyeing pay increases for their workers.

Applicants also have the option to file a complaint when they are not getting their food stamps approved in due time. Each state and county has its own rules regarding filing a type of inquiry or complaint. Aside from that, there is also a way for students to receive food stamps.

READ MORE: SNAP Benefits 2022 Update: $301.8 Million Texas Payments Confirmed for July 2022

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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