Transferring SNAP (Food Stamps) from New York to Texas
SNAP restarts at the state line. New York closes your case when you report the move, and Texas opens a new one only after you apply through Texas Health and Human Services Commission. If money is tight after the move, ask about expedited service — federal rules can put benefits on your card within 7 days.
Income limits differ in the wrong direction here: New York allows gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, while Texas cuts off at 165% of the federal poverty level. If your income sits between the two, expect to lose SNAP after the move.
Official Texas SNAP agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Tell New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance you are moving out of state
Report your move to your local department of social services (in NYC: HRA) or via your myBenefits account and ask to close your SNAP case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance ↗
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.
New York vs Texas: the numbers that decide it
| New York (old state) | Texas (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | New York SNAP | SNAP Food Benefits |
| Agency | New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance | Texas Health and Human Services Commission |
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 200% of the federal poverty level | 165% of the federal poverty level |
Verified 2026-08-08 (New York) 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 New York → Texas checklistCommon questions
Will my EBT card from New York 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 New York 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 New York 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 FNS SNAP State Directory — New York — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08
- Your Texas Benefits — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — Texas — accessed 2026-08-08