One of the many goals of the USDA, or the US Department of Agriculture, is to reduce hunger and increase food security amongst the residents of the United States.
A method of accomplishing these goals is to increase access to healthy foods and provide educational information on nutrition. The target group for this initiative is Americans who fall within the low-income group. One of the programs that hopes to alleviate this situation is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Gaining a better understanding of the SNAP system
As mentioned above, the USDA administers the SNAP program. This is done in conjunction with local state social service agencies. Monthly benefits are made available to eligible individuals by way of an Electronic Benefit or EBT card. These cards can be utilised at selected food and retail stores and allow the cardholder to purchase selected food items. Benefit amounts paid are also based on the size of the household.
Apart from the selected food items, individuals are also allowed to purchase plants and seeds to grow their vegetable gardens. Foods and related food products that are open for consumption at home are allowed for purchase. Tobacco and alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited. Hot food products and hot foods are also prohibited from being purchased with this system.
Allocating a date to the payment plan in Texas
As mentioned above, this system flows through to each state within the US. In the Lone Star State, the Texas Health and Human Services oversees this program. Just as with all other states, the same principles apply. Monthly benefits are transferred to the EBT card, or, in this case, the Lone Star Card. Nutritious food items can be purchased with this card. No bill payments are allowed, and no tobacco or alcohol products may be purchased.
Payments are made from the 1st to the 28th of each month. The dates are set according to the individual’s EDG or Eligibility Determination Group number. This number appears on all official SNAP documents. Payment dates allocated are as follows:
- 25 May – EGD Numbers 86-88
- 24 May – EGD Numbers 82-85
- 23 May – EGD Numbers 79-81
- 22 May – EGD Numbers 75-78
- 21 May – EGD Numbers 72-74
- 20 May – EGD Numbers 68-71
- 19 May – EGD Numbers 65-67
Determining the monetary value of these benefits
Individuals from a low-income household are eligible to apply for the SNAP program. Unemployed individuals are also encouraged to apply, although certain conditions may apply to those who are between the ages of 18 and 52 years. These conditions may include a time restriction on SNAP benefit payments. It may also be required of the individual to indicate the efforts made to obtain work.
Disabled and pregnant woman have no limitations on their SNAP benefits. The benefit amounts applicable as of September 2025 will be as follows:
- Household of 1 member – $292
- Household of 2 members – $536
- Household of 3 members – $768
- Household of 4 members – $975
- Household of 5 members – $1,158
- Household of 6 members – $1,390
- Household of 7 members – $1,536
- Household of 8 members – $1,756
An additional fee per person becomes applicable for households consisting of more than eight people.
Applications for this program should be made in the state in which the individual resides. Income and resource limits based on the household size are also a strong consideration. It is also crucial that the applicant provide a valid Social Security Number. As per the above, it may be necessary for the individual to conform to certain work requirements.
Student applicants may also be required to work for a minimum of 20 hours per week, have a dependent child, or participate in a type of a work-study program. All of these are done to ensure that accurate benefit payments are made to those eligible individuals. This will be for the long-term benefit of individuals residing within Texas.
