In the state of Texas, any unused food stamps do not roll over from one month to the next, unless the circumstance is an exception approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The USDA allows states to implement a policy where up to $90 in unused SNAP benefits may roll over each month into the following month. For Texas, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) usually deposits benefits on the 1st of every month, and the money is available for the whole month. If you need help using SNAP benefits, you can contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), which operates SNAP in Texas.
SNAP Benefits and Eligibility
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income individuals and families. In Texas, SNAP benefits are administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
To be eligible for SNAP benefits in Texas, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Texas resident.
- Be a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen.
- Have a Social Security number or a document that the Social Security Administration accepts as proof of identity.
- Meet the income and asset limits.
The income and asset limits for SNAP benefits in Texas are as follows:
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Net Monthly Income Limit | Asset Limit |
| 1 | $1,234 | $922 | |
| 2 | $1,668 | $1,251 | |
| 3 | $2,082 | $1,571 | $4,000 |
| 4 | $2,496 | $1,891 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $2,910 | $2,211 | $6,000 |
| 6 | $3,324 | $2,531 | $7,000 |
| 7 | $3,738 | $2,851 | $8,000 |
| 8 | $4,152 | $3,171 | $9,000 |
If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can apply for SNAP benefits online or in person at your local HHSC office.
Once you are approved for SNAP benefits, you will receive a Lone Star Card, which is an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card that you can use to purchase food at authorized retailers.
SNAP benefits are not rolled over from month to month. Any unused benefits at the end of the month will be forfeited.
SNAP Rollover Policies in Other States
The SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) program operates at the federal level but is administered by individual states. As a result, rollover policies for SNAP benefits, commonly known as food stamps, can vary.
In most states, unused SNAP benefits do not rollover from month to month. However, a few states allow a portion of unused benefits to be carried over to the next month:
- Arkansas: Up to $150 per household per month
- Illinois: Up to $200 per household per month
- Maine: Up to $150 per household per month
- Maryland: Up to $200 per household per month
- Massachusetts: Up to $200 per household per month
- Michigan: Up to $199 per household per month
- Missouri: Up to $150 per household per month
- New Hampshire: Up to $150 per household per month
- New Jersey: Up to $200 per household per month
- New York: Up to $200 per household per month
- Ohio: Up to $200 per household per month
- Oklahoma: Up to $150 per household per month
- Oregon: Up to $200 per household per month
- Pennsylvania: Up to $200 per household per month
- Rhode Island: Up to $200 per household per month
- Vermont: Up to $200 per household per month
- Washington: Up to $200 per household per month
- West Virginia: Up to $150 per household per month
- Wisconsin: Up to $200 per household per month
It’s important to note that these rollover limits and policies may change, so it’s best to check with your local SNAP office for the most up-to-date information.
SNAP Rollover Policies in Texas
SNAP rollover policies do not apply in Texas. Any unused SNAP benefits at the end of the month are not carried over to the next month and cannot be used for future purchases.
For more information on SNAP policies and procedures in Texas, contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The following table summarizes SNAP rollover policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia:
| State | Rollover Limit |
|---|---|
| Alabama | No rollover |
| Alaska | No rollover |
| Arizona | No rollover |
| Arkansas | Up to $150 per household per month |
| California | No rollover |
| Colorado | No rollover |
| Connecticut | No rollover |
| Delaware | No rollover |
| Florida | No rollover |
| Georgia | No rollover |
| Hawaii | No rollover |
| Idaho | No rollover |
| Illinois | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Indiana | No rollover |
| Iowa | No rollover |
| Kansas | No rollover |
| Kentucky | No rollover |
| Louisiana | No rollover |
| Maine | Up to $150 per household per month |
| Maryland | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Massachusetts | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Michigan | Up to $199 per household per month |
| Minnesota | No rollover |
| Mississippi | No rollover |
| Missouri | Up to $150 per household per month |
| Montana | No rollover |
| Nebraska | No rollover |
| Nevada | No rollover |
| New Hampshire | Up to $150 per household per month |
| New Jersey | Up to $200 per household per month |
| New Mexico | No rollover |
| New York | Up to $200 per household per month |
| North Carolina | No rollover |
| North Dakota | No rollover |
| Ohio | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Oklahoma | Up to $150 per household per month |
| Oregon | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Pennsylvania | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Rhode Island | Up to $200 per household per month |
| South Carolina | No rollover |
| South Dakota | No rollover |
| Tennessee | No rollover |
| Texas | No rollover |
| Utah | No rollover |
| Vermont | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Virginia | No rollover |
| Washington | Up to $200 per household per month |
| West Virginia | Up to $150 per household per month |
| Wisconsin | Up to $200 per household per month |
| Wyoming | No rollover |
| District of Columbia | No rollover |
Food Stamps in Texas: Rollover and Alternative Assistance
Food stamps, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provide financial assistance to eligible individuals and families to purchase food. In Texas, SNAP benefits are issued on a Lone Star Card, an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card. The amount of SNAP benefits a household receives depends on several factors, including household size and income. SNAP benefits are generally not allowed to roll over from month to month. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule.
Exceptions to the No-Rollover Rule
- Households with children: SNAP benefits for households with children under the age of 6 can be rolled over to the following month if the household’s total SNAP benefits for the current month exceed the maximum amount allowed for the household size.
- Households with members who are elderly or disabled: SNAP benefits for households with members who are 60 years of age or older or who are disabled can be rolled over to the following month if the household’s total SNAP benefits for the current month exceed the maximum amount allowed for the household size.
- Households receiving the maximum SNAP benefit: Households that are receiving the maximum SNAP benefit for their household size can carry over any unused benefits to the following month.
Alternative Sources of Food Assistance
In addition to SNAP, there are several other sources of food assistance available to Texas residents, including:
- Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): TEFAP provides emergency food assistance to low-income individuals and families. Food is distributed through local food banks and pantries.
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): CSFP provides a monthly box of food to low-income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to the age of 6. Food is distributed through local health departments.
- School Breakfast and Lunch Program: The School Breakfast and Lunch Program provides free or reduced-price breakfast and lunch to students from low-income families. Meals are served at participating schools.
- Summer Food Service Program: The Summer Food Service Program provides free or reduced-price meals to children during the summer months. Meals are served at participating schools, parks, and other locations.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $250 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $658 |
| 4 | $835 |
| 5 | $992 |
| 6 | $1,149 |
| 7 | $1,280 |
| 8 | $1,413 |
For more information on food assistance programs in Texas, please visit the Texas Health and Human Services website or contact your local food bank or pantry.
Tips for Managing Food Stamp Benefits
- Keep track of your balance: Keep a close eye on your food stamp balance by checking your EBT card account statement, which you can access online or through the mobile app.
- Use your benefits wisely: While food stamps can help you purchase healthy and nutritious items, avoid being tempted to buy non-eligible items like alcohol or tobacco.
- Plan your meals in advance: Planning your meals ahead of time can help you utilize your benefits efficiently and create balanced and nutritious meals.
- Look for sales and coupons: Take advantage of sales and coupons to stretch your food stamp benefits even further and save money.
- Consider shopping at local farmers markets: Farmers markets often offer fresh and locally-grown produce, which can be a great way to supplement your food stamp benefits.
- Learn how to cook: Learning basic cooking skills can help you make the most of your food stamp benefits and prepare healthier and more satisfying meals for yourself and your family.
| Tip | How it Helps Manage Food Stamp Benefits |
|---|---|
| Keep track of your balance | Prevents overspending and ensures you have enough benefits for the entire month. |
| Use your benefits wisely | Prevents wasting benefits on non-eligible items and allows you to focus on purchasing nutritious and essential foods. |
| Plan your meals in advance | Helps create balanced and nutritious meals, reduces food waste, and saves time and money. |
| Look for sales and coupons | Stretches food stamp benefits further by allowing you to purchase more items for the same amount of money. |
| Consider shopping at local farmers markets | Provides access to fresh and locally-grown produce, often at a lower cost than grocery stores. |
| Learn how to cook | Empowers you to prepare healthier and more satisfying meals, making it easier to stick to your food budget. |
Alright y’all, that’s about all there is to know about whether food stamps roll over in Texas. Thanks for hanging out with me while we dove into the details. I hope you got everything you needed. If you’re still curious about other food stamps-related topics, feel free to come back and visit anytime. I’m always adding new information and updates, so you never know what you might find. See ya next time!