Home > Programs > Outreach > Food Stamps

:: Food Stamps ::

   The East Texas Food Bank helps connect people with benefits they may be eligible

for, like Food Stamps, helping them feed themselves and their families. 

How It Works

Program Description

Program Requirements

Application Process

History of the Food Stamp Act

:: How does the Food Stamp Program work? ::

>> Download a  Food Stamp Application

>> Locate an HHSC office near you

>> Food Stamp Prescreening Eligibility Tool

>> Application for Disaster Food Stamp Assistance (English)

>> Solicitud de Estampillas para Comida de Emergencia (Español)

   The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people buy the food they need for

good health. Through its outreach efforts, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service works

with the State of Texas and local food stamp agencies, advocates, employers,

community and faith-based organizations, and others to reach out to eligible low-

income people who are not currently participating in the Food Stamp Program.  The

program provides information about the nutrition benefits of food stamps and helps

people make an informed decision about participation in the Food Stamp Program.

    Food Stamps in Texas are provided through the Lone Star Card – an electronic

debit card that is used like a credit card at the cash register. Each month, the

family’s approved monthly food stamp amount is placed in the card’s account.

   For adults between the ages of 18 and 50, who do not have a child in the

home, food stamp benefits are limited to three months in a three-year period

unless the adult works at least 20 hours a week or participates in an

employment or training program. There are some exceptions for those who are

unable to meet the work

requirements.

 :: Program Description ::

    Each month, hundreds of

thousands of families across the

state turn to the Texas Health and

Human Services (HHSC) to receive help in the form of food stamps to help feed their

families. Read on to learn how you can receive help if you qualify.

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes all eligibility and

certification policies. Your eligibility for benefits will depend on your situation on the

following criteria:

1.Residence
2.Citizenship
3.Employment Services

4.Work Requirement (for individuals age 18-50)
5.Resources
6.Income
7.Social Security Numbers

   While the website www.GovBenefits.gov has the ability to pre-screen your eligibility

at a high-level, you must work with your local county Department of Health and

Human Services (HHSC) office to confirm your eligibility. To do this, you will need to

apply for benefits and participate in an interview, either in-person or by phone.

:: General Program Requirements ::

   Food Stamps are provided as long as a person or family meets the program

requirements. A renewal application is sent to a participating family before the end of

each benefit period. Most benefit periods last for six months but some can be as

short as one month or as long as three years.

   In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of

Texas and fall into one of two groups:

(1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or

(2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).

For either group, you must also have an annual household income of:

Less than $11,677 if 1 person lives in the household

Less than $15,757 if 2 people live in the household

Less than $19,849 if 3 people live in the household

Less than $23,929 if 4 people live in the household

Less than $28,009, if 5 people live in the household

Less than $32,089 if 6 people live in the household

Less than $36,169 if 7 people live in the household

Less than $40,249 if more than 7 people live in the household.

   Making America Stronger commemorates the 30th anniversary of the of the

reforms achieved by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 by telling the story of how food

stamps dramatically reduced the extent of severe hunger in our country, how they

continue to help Americans in need, and how this essential program can achieve still

more.

:: Application Process ::

  For more information, contact the Outreach Specialist at the East Texas Food Bank:

Flor de Maria Navas-Jones

903-253-3396 (cell)e

florjones@feedingamerica.org