Texas SNAP benefits 2026 still help households buy groceries with a Lone Star Card. This guide covers income limits, maximum monthly amounts, how to apply, and what changed in 2026. Always confirm numbers on the official Texas Health and Human Services SNAP page before you apply.
What SNAP pays in Texas in 2026
SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In Texas, benefits load onto a Lone Star Card. You can use it at grocery stores and at some online retailers.
These maximum monthly amounts are listed by Texas HHS for the current year:
- 1 person: $298
- 2 people: $546
- 3 people: $785
- 4 people: $994
- 5 people: $1,183
- 6 people: $1,421
- 7 people: $1,571
- 8 people: $1,789
- Each extra person: add $218
Most households get less than the maximum. Texas subtracts 30% of net income from the max amount for your household size.
USDA also announced higher federal maximums starting October 1, 2026. For example, a family of four could see the federal cap move from $994 toward about $1,023. Use the HHS chart until October, then check again.
Texas SNAP income limits 2026
Texas HHS currently lists these maximum monthly income figures:
- 1 person: $2,152
- 2 people: $2,909
- 3 people: $3,665
- 4 people: $4,421
- 5 people: $5,177
- 6 people: $5,934
- 7 people: $6,690
- 8 people: $7,446
- Each extra person: add $757
Income rules can differ if someone is elderly or has a disability. Therefore, treat the table as a starting point, not a guarantee.
Work rules you should know
Most people ages 16 to 59 must follow SNAP work rules. That usually means looking for work, staying in an approved program, or not quitting a job without a good reason.
Some people are excused. For example, a person with a disability, or a person caring for a child under 6, may not have to meet the same work rule. Read the official SNAP work rules before you assume you are exempt.
How to apply for Texas SNAP
The fastest path is online.
- Go to YourTexasBenefits.com.
- Create or log in to your account.
- Complete the Texas Works application.
- Upload ID, income, rent, and household proof.
- Complete the interview. Most interviews are by phone.
You can also call 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905. Ask for option 2. A local HHSC office can take a paper application if you need that route.
Standard cases can take up to 30 days. However, expedited SNAP may arrive in 7 days if your household has very little income or cash.
When SNAP hits the Lone Star Card
Texas does not pay everyone on the first of the month. Deposit dates follow the last two digits of your EDG / case number. Payments usually run from the 1st through about the 15th.
If you need the exact September or October date, use your case number and the current HHSC schedule. Then check your balance in the Your Texas Benefits app.
What you can buy, and the 2026 candy rule
You can still buy staple foods: fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, bread, and cereal. You cannot buy alcohol, tobacco, vitamins, or non-food items.
Effective April 1, 2026, Texas SNAP also blocked candy purchases. That includes candy bars, gum, taffy, and fruit or nuts coated in chocolate, yogurt, or caramel. H-E-B now marks eligible items in the app, which helps at checkout.
SNAP still cannot pay delivery fees, tips, or bag fees. Therefore, keep a debit or credit card on file for those charges. For store-by-store steps, see our older guide on SNAP grocery delivery in Texas.
Where to use SNAP online in Texas
Texas lets you shop online at approved retailers. Common options include H-E-B, Walmart, Amazon, ALDI, and other USDA-approved stores.
On heb.com or the My H-E-B app:
- Add your Lone Star Card under payment methods.
- Add a second card for fees and non-SNAP items.
- Look for the SNAP EBT label on products.
- Split the ticket at checkout.
Confirm the current store list on the official Buying Food Online with SNAP page.
Quick checklist before you apply
- Photo ID
- Social Security numbers for household members who have them
- Pay stubs or benefit letters
- Rent or mortgage proof
- Utility bills if you want that deduction
Need other Texas government help after you apply? Keep our current list of Texas state senators handy if you must contact an office about a delayed case.
Related Tex.org guides
- Check your Lone Star Card balance
- Texas food apps and pantries
- How to qualify for WIC in Texas
- SNAP for U.S. citizen children in mixed-status families
- Texas SNAP and D-SNAP during a shutdown
Bottom line
Texas SNAP benefits 2026 can reach $994 a month for a family of four at the current maximum. Income limits start at $2,152 for one person and $4,421 for four people on the HHS chart. Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com, keep documents ready, and double-check food rules before you shop.