The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Texas is crucial in providing low-income families with the means to buy essential food items. In Texas, SNAP benefits are distributed through the Lone Star Card, an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) system. The Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) administers the program under the guidelines set by the federal government, specifically the USDA.
Texas Payment Schedule for October 2024
SNAP benefits in Texas are disbursed according to a recipient’s Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. This EDG number determines when during the month recipients will get their benefits, and the schedule runs from the 1st to the 28th of each month. The payment schedule is divided into two categories:
For households certified before June 1, 2020:
Payments are distributed between the 1st and 15th of each month, based on the last digit of the EDG number:
- EDG ending in 0: Benefits available on the 1st.
- EDG ending in 1: Benefits available on the 3rd.
- EDG ending in 2: Benefits available on the 5th.
- EDG ending in 3: Benefits available on the 6th.
- EDG ending in 4: Benefits available on the 7th.
- EDG ending in 5: Benefits available on the 9th.
- EDG ending in 6: Benefits available on the 11th.
- EDG ending in 7: Benefits available on the 12th.
- EDG ending in 8: Benefits available on the 13th.
- EDG ending in 9: Benefits available on the 15th.
For households certified after June 1, 2020:
Payments are distributed between the 16th and 28th of each month, based on the last two digits of the EDG number:
- EDG ending in 00-03: Benefits available on the 16th.
- EDG ending in 04-06: Benefits available on the 17th.
- EDG ending in 07-10: Benefits available on the 18th.
- EDG ending in 11-13: Benefits available on the 19th.
- EDG ending in 14-17: Benefits available on the 20th.
- EDG ending in 18-20: Benefits available on the 21st.
- EDG ending in 21-24: Benefits available on the 22nd.
- EDG ending in 25-27: Benefits available on the 23rd.
- EDG ending in 28-31: Benefits available on the 24th.
- EDG ending in 32-34: Benefits available on the 25th.
- EDG ending in 35-38: Benefits available on the 26th.
- EDG ending in 39-41: Benefits available on the 27th.
- EDG ending in 42-45: Benefits available on the 28th.
These staggered payments help ensure that recipients receive their funds on time and can budget for their groceries throughout the month.
Payment Dates for October 2024
| EDG Number Ending In | Payment Date |
|---|---|
| 00-03 | October 16 |
| 04-06 | October 17 |
| 07-10 | October 18 |
| 11-13 | October 19 |
| 14-17 | October 20 |
| 18-20 | October 21 |
| 21-24 | October 22 |
| 25-27 | October 23 |
| 28-31 | October 24 |
| 32-34 | October 25 |
| 35-38 | October 26 |
| 39-41 | October 27 |
| 42-45 | October 28 |
Important Updates and Information
- Missed Payments: If you do not receive your benefits on the expected date, it’s essential to check your case status with Texas HHS. Delays can sometimes occur due to administrative issues or changes in eligibility.
- Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible for SNAP in Texas, households must meet specific income limits, which vary based on the size of the family. For example, a family of five must not exceed a monthly income of $4,832.
- Lone Star Card Usage: The Lone Star Card can only be used to purchase eligible food items such as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and bread from approved retailers. Non-essential items such as alcohol, tobacco, and hot prepared foods are not eligible for purchase using SNAP benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to get SNAP benefits in Texas?
- It typically takes about 30 days to process a SNAP application in Texas.
2. Can SNAP benefits be used for non-food items?
- No, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy non-food items such as alcohol, tobacco, or household supplies.
3. What is an EDG number?
- An EDG number is a unique identifier used by the state to determine when you will receive your SNAP benefits each month.
4. When are benefits distributed?
- Benefits are distributed between the 1st and 28th of each month, depending on your EDG number.