Texas extends emergency food benefits for April

Athens Daily Review, Texas
·1 min read

Apr. 10—The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $254 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of April as the state continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure all SNAP households receive a minimum of $95 in emergency allotments. Households not currently receiving an emergency allotment will now receive an additional $95 per month.

Households currently receiving an emergency allotment that is less than $95 will receive an additional allotment for the difference. Households currently receiving an emergency allotment of more than $95 will not see a change in their benefits.

The emergency April allotments are in addition to the more than $2.7 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans since April 2020.

Recipients will also continue to receive a 15% increase in their total benefits, which will continue monthly until September 2021. This additional 15 percent increase and the additional emergency allotment amount should appear in recipients' accounts by April 30.

"Texans have shown their resilience during the pandemic, and we are proud to help serve our state by providing SNAP recipients with these additional benefits," said Wayne Salter, Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner.

Administered by HHSC, SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.6 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app to manage their benefits.