Transferring SNAP (Food Stamps) from Alabama to Texas
You will reapply from scratch in Texas. SNAP is state-administered, so your Alabama case closes when you move and Texas Health and Human Services Commission decides the new one. Benefits already issued to your EBT card remain usable anywhere in the country while the new application processes.
The income test is more generous where you are going: Texas allows gross income up to 165% of the federal poverty level versus 130% of the federal poverty level in Alabama. Some households that lost SNAP in Alabama qualify again in Texas.
Official Texas SNAP agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Tell Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) you are moving out of state
Report your move to your Alabama DHR county office (or via the MyDHR portal) and ask for your case to be closed before applying in your new state — federal rules bar receiving SNAP in two states in the same month.
Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) ↗
Moving week
- 2
Keep your EBT card — the balance still works
Benefits already on your EBT card remain yours and the card works at SNAP retailers in any state. Spend-down is not required before moving.
After you arrive
- 3
Apply with Texas Health and Human Services Commission right away
File the day you arrive if you can — approval can take up to 30 days, and benefits start from your application date, not your arrival date. Stated processing: up to 30 days.
Online application ↗ - 4
Ask about expedited SNAP
If you have very low cash and resources after the move, federal rules require expedited service — benefits within 7 days.
Alabama vs Texas: the numbers that decide it
| Alabama (old state) | Texas (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Food Assistance Program | SNAP Food Benefits |
| Agency | Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) | Texas Health and Human Services Commission |
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 130% of the federal poverty level | 165% of the federal poverty level |
Verified 2026-08-08 (Alabama) and 2026-08-08 (Texas) against the official sources cited below.
Moving with more than one benefit?
The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.
Build the full Alabama → Texas checklistCommon questions
Will my EBT card from Alabama work in Texas?
Yes. EBT is interoperable nationwide, so any balance already issued spends normally at SNAP retailers in Texas. The card keeps working until the balance is used, even after your Alabama case closes.
Can I get SNAP in both states during the moving month?
No — receiving SNAP from two states in the same month is a program violation. Close the Alabama case for the month you leave, then apply in Texas. Benefits in Texas start from your application date.
How fast can Texas approve my new SNAP case?
Federal rules give Texas Health and Human Services Commission up to 30 days, or 7 days for expedited service if your household has very low cash and resources after the move. Stated timing: up to 30 days.
Where do I actually apply in Texas?
Through Texas Health and Human Services Commission (online application linked above). Official SNAP pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.
Related guides
Official sources
Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified.
- USDA FNA SNAP State Directory — Alabama — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNA BBCE state chart (June 2026) — accessed 2026-08-08
- Alabama DHR Food Assistance — accessed 2026-08-08
- Your Texas Benefits — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — Texas — accessed 2026-08-08