Texas extends emergency food benefits for March
Feb. 28—The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $229 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits through March as the state continues its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We are proud of the work Texans do each day in fighting this pandemic and these additional food benefits will help SNAP recipients purchase healthy foods for their families," said Wayne Salter, Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner.
HHSC received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. The emergency March allotments are in addition to the more than $2.5 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 June 2021. This additional 15% increase and the emergency allotment amount should appear in recipients' accounts by March 31.
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.
