Texas SNAP / Food Stamp Program 2026: EBT Amounts, Deposit Dates, and Eligibility Update

The maximum SNAP benefit for a Texas family of four is $994 per month in fiscal year 2026 — up from $975 last year. Benefits load onto your Lone Star Card between the 1st and 28th of each month, depending on your case number.

But 2026 is a more complicated year than most for SNAP. The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) made some of the biggest cuts to the program in its history — and some Texans who qualified last year may not qualify now.

Here’s everything that’s changed and what it means for your household.

2026 SNAP Benefit Amounts in Texas

Texas uses the standard federal SNAP benefit schedule. Maximum monthly allotments for FY2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026):

Note: Texas uses the Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) rule, which raises the gross income limit to 165% of the Federal Poverty Level — higher than the federal floor of 130%. More households qualify in Texas than in states without BBCE.

Most households receive less than the maximum. Your actual benefit depends on net income after deductions (rent, utilities, child care, and medical expenses for elderly or disabled members).

When Does SNAP Hit Your Lone Star Card?

Texas distributes SNAP on a staggered schedule based on your Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. Benefits load between the 1st and 28th of each month.

Your EDG number is on your SNAP approval letter and in your YourTexasBenefits.com account under “Case Details.” If you can’t find it, call 800-777-7328.

TANF cash benefits follow a separate deposit schedule based on the same case number, but on different dates.

What’s Changed in 2026: Work Requirements Under the One Big Beautiful Bill

The OBBB made several significant changes that took effect in late 2025 and early 2026:

Expanded work requirements: Adults aged 55–64 who are able to work are now subject to SNAP work requirements for the first time. Previously the cutoff was 49. Parents whose youngest child is over 14 are also now subject to work rules — previously parents with any child under 18 were exempt.

20 hours per week or 80 hours per month — that’s the threshold for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–64. Work, job training, or approved volunteer activity all count. Fail to meet the requirement and you’re limited to 3 months of SNAP in any 36-month period.

State cost-sharing starting in 2028: States will begin paying a share of benefit costs based on their SNAP payment error rate. Texas has a historically low error rate, so the immediate financial hit may be modest — but this is new territory for state budgets.

$186 billion in total federal SNAP cuts over the next decade. Analysis from the Urban Institute projects more than 22 million U.S. households could lose some or all benefits.

If you were receiving SNAP in 2024 and haven’t recertified recently, it’s worth checking your eligibility — the rules have shifted.

How to Qualify for Texas SNAP in 2026

Income: Gross income at or below 165% FPL (Texas BBCE rule), and net income at or below 100% FPL after deductions.

Residency: Must be a Texas resident.

Citizenship/immigration status: U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present immigrants qualify. Undocumented individuals are not eligible for federal SNAP benefits.

Work requirements: Most adults 18–64 who are not disabled, pregnant, or caring for a child under 6 must register for work and accept suitable employment. ABAWDs aged 18–64 must now meet the 80-hour/month threshold (see above).

Assets: Texas does not have a hard asset limit for most households — BBCE eliminates the asset test for most applicants.

How to Apply

• Online: YourTexasBenefits.com — fastest option, available 24/7
• In person: Any Texas Health and Human Services office
• Phone: Call 2-1-1 for local assistance
• By mail: Download and mail a paper application from the HHS website

Texas has up to 30 days to process your application — or 7 days if you qualify for expedited SNAP based on very low income or resources.

Benefits are backdated to your application date. If approved, you’ll get all missed benefits in your first payment.

What to Watch: Potential SNAP Changes Ahead

A lot changed in 2025 and early 2026 — and more could still be coming. Here’s what I’m watching:

State cost-sharing (FY2027–2028): Starting in fiscal year 2027, Texas will begin paying a share of SNAP benefit costs. The percentage depends on the state’s payment error rate. Texas has a low error rate historically, but this is uncharted territory. If budget pressure builds, I’d expect tighter eligibility administration and slower processing.

Work requirement enforcement: The expanded rules covering adults 55–64 and parents of older teens are still being implemented. Federal guidance on enforcement is evolving, and I expect more households to navigate compliance hurdles over the next year.

BBCE at risk: Texas’s BBCE rule — which allows the higher 165% FPL income limit — narrowly survived the One Big Beautiful Bill. Earlier versions of the legislation would have eliminated it. It remains a target in future budget negotiations. If BBCE is eliminated federally, tens of thousands of Texas households near the income threshold would lose eligibility overnight.

FY2027 COLA adjustment: SNAP benefits update every October 1. I’ll post FY2027 amounts here as soon as USDA releases them (typically late summer 2026).

Things can shift quickly. I’ll update this page when new information comes in — subscribe here to get notified.

What You Can and Can’t Buy With Your Lone Star Card

Approved SNAP items: Fresh produce, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy, bread, cereals, seeds and plants that produce food, non-alcoholic beverages, and packaged snack foods.

Not covered: Alcohol, tobacco, vitamins or supplements, hot prepared foods, fast food, pet food, household supplies, hygiene products, or any non-food items.

You can use your Lone Star Card at any authorized retailer — major grocery chains, Walmart, Costco, ALDI, and many farmers markets. Online grocery ordering is also available through Amazon Fresh and Walmart Grocery; look for the SNAP/EBT option at checkout.

Other Benefits to Check If You Receive SNAP

SNAP often opens the door to other assistance. Texas SNAP recipients may automatically qualify for:

• Medicaid — if you’re receiving SSI or other means-tested benefits
• LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance) — helps with utility bills
• WIC (Women, Infants and Children) — food support for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children
• Summer EBT — Texas participates in the federal Summer EBT program for school-age children

For more on what’s happening with SNAP nationally — including how Texas compares to other states — see my main SNAP benefits update for 2026.

See this related post for current Texas unemployment benefit amounts and eligibility rules.

Texas SNAP: How Benefits Have Changed (2023–2026)

I update this post each year, so here’s a look back at the last few years — useful context for understanding where the current numbers came from.

The biggest disruption in recent years: The end of Emergency Allotments in February 2023 was a major shock. Texas had extended the pandemic-era benefit boost longer than most states. When it ended, some households that had received the full $939/month maximum dropped back to as little as $23/month — the minimum for households with higher net income. The FY2026 numbers above are calculated on the standard formula, without any pandemic-era additions.