A Texas family of 4 can receive up to $975 per month in SNAP benefits if their gross income stays below $3,218.
Texas SNAP Benefits: Exact Income Limits, Benefit Amounts, and How to Qualify in 2024
Texas SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) sets a gross monthly income limit of $3,218 for a household of 4 and a net income limit of $2,475 per month for the same household size. The maximum monthly benefit for a family of 4 is $975. If your household has 1 person, your gross income must stay at or below $1,580 per month to qualify.
What Are the SNAP Income Limits by Household Size in Texas?
Texas SNAP uses federal poverty level (FPL) guidelines. Gross income must be at or below 130% of the FPL; net income (after deductions) must be at or below 100% of the FPL.
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit | Net Monthly Income Limit | Max Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,580 | $1,215 | $291 |
| 2 | $2,137 | $1,644 | $535 |
| 3 | $2,694 | $2,072 | $766 |
| 4 | $3,218 | $2,475 | $975 |
| 5 | $3,774 | $2,902 | $1,158 |
| 6 | $4,330 | $3,330 | $1,390 |
| 7 | $4,887 | $3,758 | $1,536 |
| 8 | $5,443 | $4,186 | $1,756 |
For each additional household member beyond 8, add $557 to the gross limit, $428 to the net limit, and $219 to the maximum benefit.
What Are the Asset Limits for Texas SNAP?
Texas SNAP caps countable assets at $2,750 for most households. If at least one household member is age 60 or older, or has a qualifying disability, the asset limit rises to $4,250. Countable assets include checking and savings account balances. Your primary home, one vehicle, and retirement accounts are not counted toward the asset limit. A second vehicle valued above $4,650 will count toward the asset limit.
Who Is Automatically Eligible for Texas SNAP?
Households receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), or certain other means-tested benefits may qualify through categorical eligibility, which waives the standard asset test. Households with a gross income at or below 185% of the FPL — that is, $4,324 per month for a family of 4 — may qualify under Texas’s broad-based categorical eligibility rules, receiving at least a $50 minimum monthly benefit if otherwise eligible. Recipients of SSI automatically have their SNAP application fast-tracked for a decision within 7 calendar days if they also meet the expedited service criteria.
Expedited SNAP is available within 7 calendar days if your household meets any of these conditions:
- Gross monthly income is below $150 and liquid assets are under $100
- Monthly rent or mortgage plus utilities exceeds your monthly gross income
- You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker with liquid assets under $100
Who Is Excluded from Texas SNAP?
The following individuals are not eligible for Texas SNAP benefits:
- Undocumented immigrants — no federal SNAP benefits are available regardless of household income.
- Most non-citizen legal immigrants who have been in the U.S. fewer than 5 years, unless they are refugees, asylees, or veterans.
- Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) aged 18–49 who are not working or in a qualifying training program for more than 3 months in a 36-month period will lose benefits after that 3-month limit unless an exemption applies.
- Students enrolled at least half-time in a college or university are ineligible unless they work at least 20 hours per week, participate in a state/federally funded work-study program, or care for a dependent child under age 6.
- Individuals who have been disqualified for an intentional program violation face a 12-month disqualification for a first offense, 24 months for a second offense, and permanent disqualification for a third offense.
What Deductions Can Lower Your Countable Income for Texas SNAP?
Texas SNAP allows the following standard deductions that reduce your gross income to net income:
- Standard deduction: $198/month for households of 1–3 people; $208/month for a household of 4
- Earned income deduction: 20% of all gross earned income is excluded
- Dependent care deduction: Actual costs up to $200/month per child under age 2 or $175/month per older dependent
- Medical expense deduction: Out-of-pocket medical costs exceeding $35/month for elderly or disabled members
- Excess shelter deduction: Housing costs exceeding 50% of net income, capped at $672/month unless an elderly or disabled member is in the household (no cap applies in that case)
How Long Does Texas SNAP Take to Process?
Standard Texas SNAP applications are processed within 30 calendar days of submission. Expedited applications — for households meeting crisis-level thresholds described above — must be processed within 7 calendar days. Benefits are loaded to your Lone Star Card (Texas EBT card) by the 5th business day of the month following approval. Your Lone Star Card deposit date is determined by the last digit of your case number, with distributions spread across the 1st through 28th of each month.
How Do You Apply for SNAP Benefits in Texas?
Apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com at any time, 24 hours a day. Paper applications can be mailed or delivered to your local Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) office. Phone applications are accepted by calling 2-1-1. After submitting, you must complete an eligibility interview, which can be conducted by phone, within the 30-day processing window. If approved, your first benefit load will reflect the prorated amount from your application date, calculated at approximately $32.50 per day of eligibility within that first month for a household of 4 at the maximum benefit rate.
SNAP certification periods in Texas are typically 12 months for most households and 24 months for households where all members are elderly or disabled. You will receive a renewal notice 45 days before your certification period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income limit for SNAP benefits in Texas for a family of 4?
A Texas family of 4 must have a gross monthly income at or below $3,218 (130% FPL) and a net monthly income at or below $2,475 (100% FPL) to qualify for SNAP benefits.
How much SNAP money does a family of 4 get in Texas?
The maximum monthly SNAP benefit for a family of 4 in Texas is $975. The exact amount depends on net income after deductions; a family with zero net income receives the full $975.
How long does it take to get approved for SNAP in Texas?
Standard Texas SNAP applications are approved within 30 calendar days. Households in crisis — with income below $150/month and assets under $100 — qualify for expedited processing within 7 calendar days.
Can college students get SNAP benefits in Texas?
College students enrolled at least half-time are generally ineligible unless they work 20 or more hours per week, participate in a qualifying work-study program, or care for a dependent child under age 6.