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.
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 New York for most households. Some households that lost SNAP in New York qualify again in Texas. New York's 130% applies to most households; it allows 150% for households with earned income and 200% for households with dependent care expenses. If one of New York's higher limits applied to you, Texas's 165% may be stricter for your household.
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. If your old state already issued SNAP for the month you move, your new benefits begin the following month; if not, the first month is prorated 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 | 130% of the federal poverty level for most households (150% or 200% for some) | 165% of the federal poverty level |
Monthly income limits by household size: New York vs Texas
| Household size | New York | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $1,729* | $2,195 |
| 2 people | $2,345* | $2,976 |
| 3 people | $2,960* | $3,757 |
| 4 people | $3,575* | $4,538 |
| 5 people | $4,191* | $5,319 |
| 6 people | $4,806* | $6,100 |
* Most households; New York allows 150% for households with earned income and 200% for households with dependent care expenses — see the state page. SNAP gross limits for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027, computed from each state's % of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines the way USDA computes its tables. Each state's own chart controls. Full tables: New York · Texas · 2026 poverty guidelines.
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. If New York already issued your benefits for the month you move, Texas cannot pay that month too, so your Texas benefits begin the following month; if not, Texas prorates your first month from the day you apply.
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
- Moving back: Texas to New York SNAP
- SNAP in New York: leaving or arriving
- SNAP in Texas: leaving or arriving
- Moving with SNAP: every state
- New York to Kentucky SNAP
- New York to Illinois SNAP
- New York to Florida SNAP
- New York to Colorado SNAP
Other benefits on the same move
- Medicaid: New York to Texas
- WIC: New York to Texas
- Unemployment: New York to Texas
- TANF: New York to Texas
Terms on this page: Federal poverty level (FPL) · Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) · Expedited SNAP · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)
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