Texas SNAP Income Limits for 2026 to 2027, by Household Size

1Which income test applies to your household?

Texas uses two federal income tests. Gross income is everything the household earns before deductions, capped at 130 percent of the poverty line. Net income is what is left after allowed deductions, capped at 100 percent. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-121)

The gross income test applies to every household except two groups: households with a member who is elderly or has a disability, and categorically eligible households. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-1340)

Texas treats a household as categorically eligible when every member is approved for TANF or SSI, or when the household meets resource rules and has gross income at or below 165 percent of the poverty level. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-1340)

The net income test applies to every household except categorically eligible ones. A household with an elderly or disabled member faces the net test if its gross income is above 165 percent and it is not categorically eligible. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-1340)

Texas is strict at the line: a household subject to the gross test is ineligible if unrounded income is over the limit by one cent or more. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-1340)

2What deductions bring net income down?

As of October 1, 2026, Texas uses these official deduction amounts: a standard deduction of $217 for households of three or fewer, $229 for four, $268 for five, and $308 for six or more. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-121.1)

Other official amounts: a standard utility allowance of $464, a basic utility allowance of $417, a telephone standard of $64, a maximum excess shelter deduction of $769, and a homeless shelter standard of $205.66. Medical costs above $35 a month count for elderly or disabled members. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-121.1)

Federal rules also take 20 percent off earned income and allow a dependent care deduction when care is needed for work, training, or school. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility)

3How much SNAP could a Texas household get?

Estimated maximum monthly benefit for October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027: $306 for one person, $562 for two, $808 for three, and $1,023 for four. These are the top amounts in the USDA and Texas HHSC allotment tables. (USDA FNA, SNAP Cost of Living Adjustment) (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-1430)

HHSC sets your actual amount based on income and deductions. The state multiplies net monthly income by 0.30, rounds up to the next whole dollar, and subtracts that from the maximum for your household size, so any household with net income gets less than the maximum. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-122) The estimated minimum for an eligible one or two person household is $25 a month. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-1430)

If you see older figures on the HHSC SNAP Food Benefits page (when we checked on October 17, 2026, it showed an estimated maximum of $298 for one person from an older table), go by the handbook and USDA tables above. They took effect October 1, 2026. (Texas HHSC, SNAP Food Benefits) (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-122)

4What disqualifies you from getting food stamps in Texas?

These are the main rules that can make a household or a person ineligible in Texas:

• Income over the limits in the table above. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook C-121)
• Countable resources over $5,000. Countable resources means liquid resources, such as cash and bank balances, plus excess vehicle value. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-1220) Categorically eligible households can have different resource rules. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility)
• Not following work rules. Most people ages 16 to 59 must look for a job or be in an approved work program, and cannot quit a job without a good reason. Most adults ages 18 to 64 with no children under 14 in the home can get SNAP for only three months in a three year period unless they work or are in a job or training program at least 20 hours a week. (Texas HHSC, SNAP Food Benefits)
• College enrollment. Students ages 18 through 49 enrolled at least half time generally are not eligible unless they meet a specific exemption. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility)
• Immigration status. SNAP is limited to U.S. citizens and certain lawfully present non-citizens. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility)

Some people do not have to follow work rules, such as people who have a disability or care for a child under 6. (Texas HHSC, SNAP Food Benefits) If one member is ineligible, the state still decides eligibility for everyone else in the household. USDA notes that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 changed work requirements and non-citizen eligibility, and it is updating its guidance. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility)

5How do you apply for SNAP in Texas?

You apply with Texas HHSC, not USDA. You can submit a SNAP application online at YourTexasBenefits.com, at a local office, by mail, or by fax. You can also request a paper application by phone. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook A-110) For help with your benefits, call 2-1-1 or 877-541-7905, choose a language, then choose Option 2. For services in your area, choose Option 1. (Texas HHSC, Contact)

The state usually sends a decision within 30 days, and you will have an interview and provide proof of what you reported. Some households can get benefits within 7 days, for example with less than $100 in liquid resources and under $150 in monthly gross income. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility) If you just lost a job, our guide Lost Your Job? The First 30 Days, In Order covers what to file first.

Households where everyone is 60 or older or has a disability can use the Texas Simplified Application Project, which gives three years of benefits at a time instead of six months. (Texas HHSC, SNAP Food Benefits)

If you cannot apply yourself, you can name an authorized representative in writing to apply and do the interview for you. (USDA FNA, SNAP Eligibility)

You submit your application yourself on the official site. Benefit Bull is free and never files for you.

6How do I renew my Texas SNAP benefits?

Texas mails a renewal packet during the first week of the month before your last benefit month. A packet returned by the 15th of your last benefit month counts as on time. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook B-120)

Renewals must be signed and can be sent by mail, fax, phone, or the Your Texas Benefits website. If you do not contact HHSC to complete your interview by the last business day of your certification period, the renewal is denied. A packet sent 31 or more days after the period ends is treated as a new application. (Texas HHSC, Texas Works Handbook B-120)

7What is the difference between SNAP and WIC?

SNAP is a monthly food benefit for eligible low-income households of any age, loaded on a Lone Star Card and used like a debit card at stores that accept SNAP. (Texas HHSC, SNAP Food Benefits) WIC is a separate USDA program for women who are pregnant, postpartum, or breastfeeding, and for infants and children up to their fifth birthday, and every applicant gets a free health check before enrolling. (USDA FNA, WIC Eligibility Requirements)

If you get SNAP, you may already be income eligible for WIC, so families with young children can apply for both. (USDA FNA, WIC Eligibility Requirements) For more ways to stretch food money, see 10 Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill.