::Food Stamps::

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The East Texas Food Bank helps connect people with benefits, like Food Stamps, they may be eligible for, helping them feed themselves and their families. 

How It Works

Program Description

Program Requirements

Application Process

::How does the Food Stamp Program work?::

Download a  Food Stamp Application>

Locate an HHSC office near you>

Food Stamp Prescreening Eligibility Tool>

The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. Through its outreach efforts, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service works with the State of Texas and local food stamp agencies, advocates, employers, community and faith-based organizations, and others to reach out to eligible low-income people who are not currently participating in the Food Stamp Program.  The program provides information about the nutrition benefits of food stamps and helps people make an informed decision about participation in the Food Stamp Program.

Food Stamps in Texas are provided through the Lone Star Card – an electronic debit card that is used like a credit card at the cash register. Each month, the family’s approved monthly food stamp amount is placed in the card’s account.

For adults between the ages of 18 and 50, who do not have a child in the home, food stamp benefits are limited to three months in a three-year period unless the adult works at least 20 hours a week or participates in an employment or training program. There are some exceptions for those who are unable to meet the work requirements.

 ::Food Stamp Program Description::

Each month, hundreds of thousands of families across the state turn to the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) to receive help in the form of food stamps to help feed their families. Read on to learn how you can receive help if you qualify.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes all eligibility and certification policies. Your eligibility for benefits will depend on your situation on the following criteria:

1.Residence
2.Citizenship
3.Employment Services

4.Work Requirement (for individuals age 18-50)
5.Resources
6.Income
7.Social Security Numbers

While the website www.GovBenefits.gov has the ability to pre-screen your eligibility at a high-level, you must work with your local county Department of Health and Human Services (HHSC) office to confirm your eligibility. To do this, you will need to apply for benefits and participate in an interview, either in-person or by phone.

::General Program Requirements::

Food Stamps are provided as long as a person or family meets the program requirements. A renewal application is sent to a participating family before the end of each benefit period. Most benefit periods last for six months but some can be as short as one month or as long as three years.

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Texas and fall into one of two groups:

(1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or

(2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

For either group, you must also have an annual household income of:

Less than $11,677 if 1 person lives in the household

Less than $15,757 if 2 people live in the household

Less than $19,849 if 3 people live in the household

Less than $23,929 if 4 people live in the household

Less than $28,009, if 5 people live in the household

Less than $32,089 if 6 people live in the household

Less than $36,169 if 7 people live in the household

Less than $40,249 if more than 7 people live in the household.

::Application Process::

For more information, contact the Outreach Specialist at the East Texas Food Bank:

Flor de Maria Navas-Jones

903-253-3396 (cell)

florjones@secondharvest.org