Texas SNAP may be able to access starts with income and household size

To receive SNAP in Texas, your household income must fall below a certain limit based on how many people live with you. The state uses federal income guidelines that change each year. Your income is compared against the federal poverty line, and most households must earn less than 130 percent of that line to be considered. Texas also counts your assets — money in the bank, vehicles, and property — though the rules are more lenient than they were years ago.

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen, but you must be a lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, or a U.S. citizen. Your immigration status matters, and Texas will verify it through the federal system. If you are unsure whether your status qualifies, the Texas Health and Human Services office can tell you during the intake process.

Work requirements exist for some adults without dependents, but Texas has broad exemptions. If you are over 50, disabled, caring for a child under 6, pregnant, or already working at least 20 hours per week, you are exempt. Many people think they cannot may have access to because of work rules, but most households do not hit this barrier.

Key Takeaways

  • Your household income must be below 130 percent of the federal poverty line, which means a single person earning roughly $1,400 per month or a family of four earning roughly $2,900 per month would likely be within range, though exact amounts change yearly.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee — Texas verifies immigration status through federal databases.
  • Work requirements explore only to adults without dependents between 16 and 60, and most people are exempt if they are disabled, over 50, caring for young children, or already working part-time.
  • Your assets matter less than they used to — most households can have up to $2,750 in countable resources, though a vehicle and your home do not count against this limit.

Income limits vary by household size and change each year

Texas uses the federal poverty guidelines published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. For 2024, a single person can earn up to about $1,435 per month and still be within the 130 percent threshold. A family of four can earn up to about $2,953 per month. These numbers shift each October when the federal government updates the poverty line.

Your income includes wages from a job, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and rental income. It does not include some things: the first $20 of any income per month is excluded, and if you work, the first $200 of your monthly earnings are excluded, plus half of what you earn above that. These deductions can make a real difference if you are working part-time.

Texas counts gross income before taxes, not what you take home. If you earn $2,000 a month before taxes, that $2,000 is what Texas compares to the limit, even though your paycheck is smaller.

Assets and resources have limits, but your home and car do not count

Most households can have up to $2,750 in countable resources. This includes money in checking and savings accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. Your primary residence and one vehicle do not count, no matter their value. If you own a second car, its value counts toward the limit.

Retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs are not counted as resources. Neither is life insurance. If you are over 60 or disabled, the resource limit is higher — $4,250 instead of $2,750.

Texas does not count the value of your household goods, clothing, or personal items. The resource rules are designed to let people keep a modest amount of savings without losing SNAP, so you do not have to spend down every dollar before you can receive benefits.

Citizenship and immigration status requirements

You must be a U.S. citizen or a may have access to non-citizen. may have access to non-citizens include lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, and certain other categories. Texas verifies your status through the federal SAVE system, which checks immigration databases.

If you are undocumented, you do not meet the federal requirement and cannot receive SNAP. Some states offer state-funded food programs for undocumented immigrants, but Texas does not currently have a separate program of this type.

Mixed-status households — where some members are citizens and others are not — can still receive SNAP. Only the members who meet the citizenship requirement are counted in the household for SNAP purposes, but the income and resources of all household members are considered.

Work requirements and exemptions

Adults without dependents between 16 and 60 must work or participate in a work program for at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP for more than three months in a 36-month period. This is called the able-bodied adult without dependents (ABAWD) rule. However, most people are exempt from this requirement.

You are exempt if you are disabled, over 50, pregnant, caring for a child under 6, already working at least 20 hours per week, or enrolled in a school or training program. Texas also has a waiver that suspends this requirement in some areas when unemployment is high, though the waiver status changes. When you explore, Texas will tell you whether the work requirement applies to you.

If you do not meet an exemption and do not work 20 hours per week, you will lose SNAP after three months. You can regain it by finding work or by joining a work program. Texas offers work programs through the Workforce Solutions offices, and some nonprofits also run programs that satisfy the requirement.

Special situations: students, elderly people, and disabled individuals

College students have their own rules. If you are a full-time student between 18 and 49, you normally cannot receive SNAP unless you work at least 20 hours per week, are caring for a child, are disabled, or are in a work-study program. Part-time students do not have this restriction.

Elderly people (age 60 and over) and disabled individuals have higher resource limits and are exempt from work requirements. If you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), you are automatically considered disabled for SNAP purposes. You do not need a separate disability information.

Homeless individuals can receive SNAP without a permanent address. Texas counts a shelter, transitional housing, or even a car as a valid address for the process. If you are experiencing homelessness, contact your local food bank or homeless services agency — they can help you find the nearest SNAP office.

How to report changes and keep your benefits

Once you receive SNAP, you must report certain changes to Texas Health and Human Services. If your income increases, your household size changes, or you move, you need to report it. Texas will tell you the important date — usually within 10 days of the change. You can report changes online through the Your Benefits Now portal, by phone, or in person at your local SNAP office.

Your SNAP case is reviewed periodically. How often depends on your situation — some cases are reviewed every 12 months, others every 24 months. Texas will send you a notice telling you when your review is due and what documents to bring. If you do not respond, your benefits will stop.

If your income goes up slightly, you may still be able to keep some or all of your benefits because of the income deductions. Do not assume you will lose SNAP just because you got a raise or a new job. Report the change and let Texas calculate whether you still may have access to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Texas resident to get SNAP?

You must live in Texas and intend to stay there, but you do not need to have lived there for a certain amount of time. If you just moved to Texas, you can explore right away. Texas will verify your residency through your address and mail.

What if I am receiving unemployment benefits?

Unemployment income counts toward your income limit. However, the first $20 of any income per month is excluded, and if you are also working, the work deductions explore. Report your unemployment amount when you explore, and Texas will calculate whether you still may have access to.

Can I get SNAP if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. However, certain drug-related felony convictions can make you ineligible. If you have a conviction, tell the SNAP office during your process — they can tell you whether it affects your case.

What happens if my household income is just slightly over the limit?

The income deductions — the $20 general deduction and the work deductions — can push you under the limit even if your gross income is slightly over. explore anyway and let Texas run the numbers. Many people who think they are over the limit actually may have access to once deductions are applied.

Do I need to be looking for work to get SNAP?

Only if you are an able-bodied adult without dependents and do not meet an exemption. For everyone else — parents, elderly people, disabled individuals, and students in certain situations — there is no work-search requirement. You can receive SNAP while you are not working, as long as your income and resources are within the limits.