SNAP

A requirement to work 80 hours a month, starting in September, could affect 44,000 Texans over age 49. Meanwhile, attention in Congress shifts to the farm bill’s significant impact on food stamp policy.

A new state law increases what SNAP applicants’ vehicles can be worth before they’re disqualified for federal food assistance. But most states don’t take car values into consideration at all.

The end of pandemic-era food assistance came at a steep cost for many North Texans.

Relative caregivers, like grandparents who want to keep kids out of foster care, usually get half as much state assistance as strangers who take in children.

During the pandemic, Texans received extra money on their Lone Star cards through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. That extra money ends this month.

Starting this month, Texans who use SNAP benefits to buy groceries will have an average of $212 less per month to buy groceries, as pandemic-era increases to the food assistance program are ended.

Obstacles keep many Texans who qualify for the assistance from enrolling.

For people with limited incomes, surging food prices are hitting especially hard. A network of food banks says they need more support from Texas lawmakers.

The Biden administration has approved a significant and permanent increase in the levels of food stamp assistance available to needy families — the largest single increase in the program's history.

The research underscores how a relatively short-lived Trump-era policy may have an enduring impact on the long-term well-being of children in immigrant families. In the Houston metro area, 43% of children have at least one immigrant parent.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will allocate around $2.5 billion in food benefits to all eligible families. School districts will notify families about eligibility by June 2.

As part of the latest COVID-19 relief package, Congress voted to increase benefits for everyone on SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Starting this month, everyone on the program will get a 15% increase in their monthly benefits through June.