Transferring SNAP (Food Stamps) from Washington to Texas
SNAP does not transfer. You close your Washington case, then file a new application with Texas Health and Human Services Commission — and you cannot get benefits from two states in the same month. Any balance already on your EBT card stays yours and spends normally in Texas.
Income limits differ in the wrong direction here: Washington allows gross income up to 200% of the federal poverty level, while Texas cuts off at 165% of the federal poverty level. Most households with income between the two will lose SNAP after the move; a household with a member 60 or older or disabled is judged on the net-income test instead and may still qualify.
Official Texas SNAP agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission ↗ (application page)
Your step-by-step checklist
Before you move
- 1
Tell Washington State Department of Social and Health Services you are moving out of state
Report your move via Washington Connection or DSHS at 1-877-501-2233 and ask to close your Basic Food case before applying in your new state — no SNAP in two states in the same month.
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services ↗
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.
Washington vs Texas: the numbers that decide it
| Washington (old state) | Texas (new state) | |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Basic Food | SNAP Food Benefits |
| Agency | Washington State Department of Social and Health Services | 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 |
Monthly income limits by household size: Washington vs Texas
| Household size | Washington | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,660 | $2,195 |
| 2 people | $3,607 | $2,976 |
| 3 people | $4,554 | $3,757 |
| 4 people | $5,500 | $4,538 |
| 5 people | $6,447 | $5,319 |
| 6 people | $7,394 | $6,100 |
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: Washington · 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 Washington → Texas checklistCommon questions
Will my EBT card from Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington case for the month you leave, then apply in Texas. If Washington 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 Washington SNAP
- SNAP in Washington: leaving or arriving
- SNAP in Texas: leaving or arriving
- Moving with SNAP: every state
- Washington to Oklahoma SNAP
- Washington to New York SNAP
- Washington to Nevada SNAP
- Washington to Mississippi SNAP
Other benefits on the same move
- Medicaid: Washington to Texas
- WIC: Washington to Texas
- Unemployment: Washington to Texas
- TANF: Washington 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 .
- DSHS Basic Food — 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