Texas SNAP (Food Stamps): 2026 Income Limits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Texas
SNAP Food Benefits (Texas's SNAP program) does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Texas resident applies fresh through Texas Health and Human Services Commission. There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Texas's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Texas
Leaving Texas ends your SNAP Food Benefits (Texas's SNAP program) case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Texas Health and Human Services Commission effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission ↗ (application page)
Texas SNAP at a glance
| Program name | SNAP Food Benefits |
|---|---|
| Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility | Yes |
| Gross income limit | 165% of the federal poverty level |
| Processing | Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days |
Texas SNAP income limits by household size (FY2027)
These limits apply October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027. Texas uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which sets its gross income limit at 165% of the federal poverty level.
| Household size | Gross monthly limit (165% FPL) | Maximum monthly benefit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,195 | $306 |
| 2 people | $2,976 | $562 |
| 3 people | $3,757 | $808 |
| 4 people | $4,538 | $1,023 |
| 5 people | $5,319 | $1,217 |
| 6 people | $6,100 | $1,463 |
| 7 people | $6,881 | $1,616 |
| 8 people | $7,662 | $1,841 |
| Each additional person | +$781 | +$225 |
- Gross limits match USDA's published FY2027 165% table (165% of the 2026 HHS poverty guidelines, 48 contiguous states and DC, ÷ 12, rounded up). Maximum benefits are USDA's published FY2027 allotments.
- BBCE usually relaxes or removes the asset test; ask Texas Health and Human Services Commission for Texas's rule. A household with a member 60+ or disabled whose income is above this limit can still qualify under the regular federal net-income test. Benefit amounts are calculated from net income, so most households get less than the maximum.
Federal sources: USDA SNAP FY2027 Cost-of-Living Adjustments (published 2026-08-21) · HHS 2026 Poverty Guidelines (91 FR 1797) (published 2026-01-15)
How to apply for SNAP in Texas
Apply with Texas Health and Human Services Commission online at yourtexasbenefits.com, which runs the program as SNAP Food Benefits. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Common questions
What is the SNAP income limit in Texas?
Texas's gross income limit is 165% of the federal poverty level: $2,195 a month for one person and $4,538 for a household of four, for October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027.
Can I use my Texas EBT card in another state?
Yes. SNAP EBT cards work at authorized stores in every state, so you can spend benefits already on the card after you move. But you can only receive SNAP from the state you live in: report the move to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, then apply in your new state.
How do I apply for SNAP in Texas?
Apply with Texas Health and Human Services Commission online at yourtexasbenefits.com, which runs the program as SNAP Food Benefits. Processing time: federal SNAP standard: 30 days; expedited service within 7 days.
Who runs SNAP in Texas?
Texas Health and Human Services Commission, which runs the program as SNAP Food Benefits. The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Texas make new residents wait for SNAP?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for SNAP. You apply as soon as you live in Texas; eligibility is decided on Texas's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Texas?
Report your move through your Your Texas Benefits account (or 2-1-1) and ask for your SNAP case to be closed before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Every move involving Texas
From Texas to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Texas from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Texas
- Medicaid in Texas
- WIC in Texas
- Unemployment in Texas
- TANF in Texas
- SNAP in every state
- State benefits statistics
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 .
- Your Texas Benefits — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS SNAP State Directory — Texas — accessed 2026-08-08
- USDA FNS BBCE state chart — accessed 2026-08-08