The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a lifeline for many Texans, providing essential food assistance to over 3.4 million residents each month. As September approaches, beneficiaries are eager to know when their funds will be available, especially given Texas’s distribution schedule.
How SNAP Benefits Are Distributed in Texas
SNAP benefits are distributed in Texas from the 1st to the 28th of each month. This method ensures the distribution process runs smoothly, avoiding system overloads that could delay payments. The day a household receives its benefits depends on the last two digits of its Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. This number is unique to each household and plays a vital role in determining when SNAP funds will be loaded onto the Lone Star Card, Texas’s version of the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
When to expect SNAP payments in September
Here is a breakdown of when you can expect your SNAP benefits based on your EDG number:
| EDG Digits | Payment dates |
| 00-03 | 1st of the month |
| 04-06 | 2nd of the month |
| 07-10 | 3rd of the month |
| 11-13 | 4th of the month |
| 14-17 | 5th of the month |
| 18-20 | 6th of the month |
| 21-24 | 7th of the month |
| 25-27 | 8th of the month |
| 28-31 | 9th of the month |
| 32-34 | 10th of the month |
| 35-38 | 11th of the month |
| 39-41 | 12th of the month |
| 42-45 | 13th of the month |
| 46-48 | 14th of the month |
| 49-53 | 15th of the month |
| 54-57 | 16th of the month |
| 58-60 | 17th of the month |
| 61-64 | 18th of the month |
| 65-67 | 19th of the month |
| 68-71 | 20th of the month |
| 72-74 | 21st of the month |
| 75-78 | 22nd of the month |
| 79-81 | 23rd of the month |
| 82-85 | 24th of the month |
| 86-88 | 25th of the month |
| 89-92 | 26th of the month |
| 93-95 | 27th of the month |
| 96-99 | 28th of the month |
Who are the Texas SNAP benefits for?
- People in eligible low-income households.
- Most adults ages 18 to 52 with no children can get SNAP for only three months in three years. The benefit period might be longer if the person works at least 20 hours a week or is in a job or training program. Some adults, such as those who have a disability or are pregnant, might not have to work to get benefits.
- Households in which all members are either older adults (age 60 and older) or people with disabilities are eligible to participate in the Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP), which makes the SNAP application process easier and provides three years of benefits at a time instead of six months.
Maximum Monthly Income Limits
The following gives a general idea of how much income most people or families can earn and still be in this program.
| Family size | Maximum monthly income |
| 1 | $2,005 |
| 2 | $ 2,712 |
| 3 | $ 3,419 |
| 4 | $ 4,125 |
| 5 | $ 4,832 |
Add $707 for each additional family member.
Special circumstances
There are some cases where SNAP benefits may be distributed more quickly.
- Expedited applications are processed faster for households that meet specific criteria, such as having very little income or resources.
- Regular applications certified on or after the 25th of the month may also receive quicker payments.
- If a hearing officer decides that priority issuance is necessary to meet timeliness requirements, those benefits will be issued without delay.
This expedited process ensures that critical food assistance isn’t delayed for those who qualify, helping families to access food more quickly.
