Your texas benefits apply for food stamps

Keeping track of all the EBT information out there can be overwhelming. So, we’ve broken down all the basics in one handy guide.

If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, let us know.

Download the Providers app to check your balance instantly. And while you’re there, explore opportunities to save and earn money.

The Lone Star Card is Texas’s EBT card.

EBT = electronic benefits transfer.

EBT card = a card that looks and works like a debit or credit card but is loaded with food stamps (also known as SNAP benefits) and/or cash benefits. You can use it at stores that accept EBT.

You’ll get the Lone Star Card once you’re approved for benefits.

Texas’s EBT customer service number is 1-800-777-7328.

The easiest way to apply for food stamps is online.

You’ll have to renew your food stamps before your certification period (the amount of time you’ll get food stamps) ends.

That period is 6 months for most Texas households.

You’ll get a letter in the mail when it’s time to reapply. To be safe, you could also put a note in your calendar or wherever you keep important reminders.

You can renew your benefits online with a Your Texas Benefits account.

If you’d rather renew in person, call your caseworker, local office (scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Find an Office”), or the Texas SNAP hotline (1-877-541-7905) to find out how.

Texas sends out benefits over 15 days, beginning on the 1st and based on the last digit of your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. Check the full schedule to find out which day you’ll get your food stamps.

You should report:

• If anyone moves in or out of your household.
• Financial changes like income, rent, savings, or child support.
• Work changes. Does your household include an adult who doesn’t have a disability or a child (what the government calls an ABAWD)? Is this person required to work or train 20 hours/week? Then you should report if this person starts working or training less than 20 hours/week.

Most households have to report all changes no more than 10 days after they happen, but some don’t. Your caseworker can confirm which rules apply to your household.

If you are moving, you should report your new address ASAP to make sure you don’t miss any important letters.

You can report changes online with a Your Texas Benefits account.

If you can’t find your EBT card, call the Texas EBT hotline as soon as you can: 1-800-777-7328.

If someone manages to use your card, you won’t be able to get those benefits back, so make sure you call right away!

You can use food stamps to buy groceries, snacks, and seeds or plants that will produce food.

You can’t use food stamps to buy alcohol, tobacco products, vitamins, live animals, prepared foods, or any non-food household items.

WIC food packages typically include cereal, juice, eggs, milk, peanut butter, dried and canned beans, tofu, fruits and vegetables, and whole-wheat bread. WIC packages also include canned fish and cheese for breastfeeding moms, and baby food for babies.

Download Providers to see nearby stores and farmer’s markets that take EBT. You don’t need an account to use the map.

Yes! Your EBT card can get you and your family discounted or free admission to museums, theme parks, zoos, aquariums, and more.

Once your child is born, your household size will increase. More household members = more benefits.

While you are pregnant, you can’t get more food stamps, but you can apply for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

WIC provides food and resources for pregnant women, new parents, and children up to 5 years old.

If you have a child who’s 18 or younger, you may qualify for cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

TANF provides monthly cash assistance to help families with children get by during tough times.

Check out this benefit finder tool and find out.

This information was compiled by Providers from publicly available government websites. Please check in with your local office if you have questions.

Food Stamps Application Instructions

You can apply for Texas SNAP benefits in more a couple of ways:

Apply Online

You can apply online for Texas SNAP benefits. Please use Your Texas Benefits online application to start applying for the benefits. Click 'login' and you will be able to fill out application for SNAP food benefits. If you don't have an account already, take a minute to create one.

Apply in Person

You can also apply in person for the program by visiting your nearest HHSC benefits office. You can go here to find your local office.

You can also apply in person by contacting a community group near you. Use this list of community groups

Apply by Mail

You can also apply by mail by downloading an application and sending it in. You can get an application here. You will need to mail a signed and dated copy of the form, click here to find your local office.

You can always get help with anything related to SNAP benefits by dialing 211

Eligibility Requirements

The program requires applicants to meet general eligibility criteria before they can apply for the program. Here are general program requirements:

• Must be a U.S national, qualified alien, or permanent resident
• Must be residing in state of Texas to apply for SNAP benefits in Texas
• Must fall into one of the two groups defined for the purpose of SNAP benefit eligibility
• Low Income

Two main groups, for the purpose of SNAP benefits, are:

1. Families with bank balance under $2,001: When computing current bank balance, applicants will be required to combine both savings and checking accounts.
   
2. Families with bank balance under $3,001: Families falling into this group will be able to qualify for the program if they have a person with disability or person over 60 and share household income with such person or persons.

Apart from the general eligibility requirements, the program also has specific financial criteria for applicants from both the groups. For instance, a household of three will only qualify of the annual household income is below $23,803. Depending on your household size, you may have a different household income limit.

You can also check your SNAP eligibility using HHSC eligibility tool. Click 'should I apply' from the menu.

Receiving your SNAP Benefits: Lone Star Card

When you qualify for SNAP, you will be receiving benefits through Lone Star Card. This is a standard plastic card, as in the case of debit cards. The card is used just like a debit card. You will have the money in your account on due date and you can purchase food items with it, using it like a debit card.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides SNAP benefits. USDA will load your card with your monthly amount of SNAP benefits, each month. You can use this money on stores where regular debit card works.

If you qualify and receive a Lone Star Card, it is your responsibility to use it with care. No one else can use your card since it is illegal to allow someone else to use your benefits. If you are in a situation where you'll need someone else to use your card for you, you will have to ask for a second card. You can then give the second card to someone you trust. The money spent from that card will be deducted from your primary card.

In order to start using your Lone Star Card, you will have to sign at the back of your card after you receive it. You will also need to register it in order to use it. You can call 1 800 777 7328 to register your card. You will then choose a PIN for your card.

If you opt to pick up your card at HHSC benefits office instead of getting it in mail, you won't have to register it. When you are handed over the card at the office, it is registered at spot.

When you have a Lone Star Card, you've to make sure that you are using it properly to continue receiving SNAP benefits. Remember, you can buy food, clothes, furniture and supplies for house with your Lone Star Card. You can also pay your rent or mortgage and pay your utilities using the card.

You can also use your Lone Star Card to take out cash with your Lone Star Card. You can get it from a machine after entering your PIN. When entering PIN, make sure no one else can see it. It is your password for the card and it is your responsibility to keep it secure.

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