A Calendar Page and a Grocery Cart: Texas SNAP Went Up October 1 [Up to $1,023 a Month Est.]

Questions this episode answers

Key facts

• Effective October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027.
• Estimated maximum SNAP: $306 a month for 1 person, $1,023 for 4.
• Gross monthly income limit (most households): $1,729 for 1, $3,575 for 4. A net income test also applies.
• Since April 1, 2026, Texas SNAP cannot buy candy or sweetened drinks.
• Apply: YourTexasBenefits.com, a local office, mail or fax. Questions: 2-1-1 or 1-877-541-7905.
• Lone Star Card help: 1-800-777-7328. Stolen benefits (on or after Dec. 21, 2024) cannot be replaced.
• Other states: the same maximums apply in 48 states and DC. National SNAP line: 1-800-221-5689.
• Massachusetts: the state will pay the SMART charge (a solar program charge on electric bills) for January through March 2027, so it is not passed on to home electric bills. State funding: about $80 million (estimated).

Chapters

1. 00:00Last time: Medicare's change window is open until December 7
2. 00:06Hook: what does a page on the calendar have to do with your grocery cart?
3. 00:32This is Your Daily Benefit
4. 00:34Promise kept: the Massachusetts SMART charge, January to March 2027
5. 01:00SNAP in Texas: the Lone Star Card
6. 01:13The most a family can get: up to $306 for one, up to $1,023 for four (estimated)
7. 01:40Separate: how much a family can make, before taxes
8. 02:01The second check, and different rules for 60 and older or disability
9. 02:22How to apply in Texas, free, and you apply yourself
10. 02:49Your Lone Star Card: checking your balance safely
11. 03:09Card skimming: what to watch for
12. 03:32If your benefits are stolen
13. 03:46Not in Texas? The same top amounts in 48 states and DC
14. 04:15Not sure what else is out there? benefitbull.com can help you look
15. 04:23Back to the calendar page and the grocery cart
16. 04:36Next time: Indiana health coverage, and October already counts

Find help

• Full episode page with transcript
• All Your Daily Benefit episodes
• Texas SNAP Income Limits 2026 to 2027 (Benefit Bull guide)
• See what help may be out there for you at Benefit Bull
• Find your state's SNAP office (USDA)
• Help with energy bills (USA.gov)

Benefit Bull helps you find programs. You always apply yourself, through the official program, and applying is free.

Sources

Full transcript

1. 00:01

   Host 2: So last time we talked about Medicare and the change window is open until December 7.

2. 00:06

   Host 1: Right, but what does a page on the calendar have to do with your grocery cart?

3. 00:11

   Host 2: I mean, I don't know. Like maybe flipping to October and realizing you need milk?

4. 00:15

   Host 1: Well, close. Down in Texas on October 1, food help was updated. It is called SNAP. Yeah, so now the most a family of four can get is up to $1,023 a month. Aha, estimated.

5. 00:29

   Host 2: Wait, uh- A month. Okay, now I'm listening.

6. 00:32

   Host 1: So this is Your Daily Benefit.

7. 00:34

   Host 2: But before we jump into Texas, we owe the listener something.

8. 00:38

   Host 1: Oh right, the Massachusetts SMART charge. It goes on electric bills. It helps pay for solar projects. For January through March 2027, the state will pay this charge. It will not be passed on to home bills. The state will spend about $80 million, estimated.

9. 00:53

   Host 1: And just to be very clear, that is the state total. That is not the amount per home.

10. 00:57

    Host 2: Right, it is the whole pot of money.

11. 00:59

    Host 1: Exactly. In Texas, the money goes on a card. It's called the Lone Star Card. It works just like a debit card at the store.

12. 01:06

    Host 2: So you just swipe it to pay.

13. 01:08

    Host 1: Yeah, you swipe it. You use it to buy fruits, veggies, milk, bread, and meat. There are two kinds of numbers today, and we are going to keep them separate. This is the most a family can get each month.

14. 01:19

    Host 2: Okay, let us hear the new numbers.

15. 01:21

    Host 1: For one person, it is up to $306 a month, estimated.

16. 01:25

    Host 2: Wow, okay, 306.

17. 01:27

    Host 1: And for a family of four, it is up to $1,023 a month, estimated. It is a lot, but I need to add a warning here. That is the top amount. Many families get less. The state works out the real amount for your family. Now, separate from what you can get, let us talk about how much a family can make before taxes. For one person, it's about $1,729 a month before taxes.

18. 01:51

    Host 2: Okay, got it.

19. 01:52

    Host 1: And for a family of four, it's about $3,575 a month before taxes.

20. 01:58

    Host 2: Wait, really? That's higher than I thought.

21. 02:01

    Host 1: There is actually a second check.

22. 02:04

    Host 2: What is the second check?

23. 02:06

    Host 1: The second check happens after some bills come out, like rent.

24. 02:09

    Host 2: So they look at what money you actually have left.

25. 02:12

    Host 1: Exactly. Also, families with someone 60 or older have different rules.

26. 02:18

    Host 2: Or if someone has a disability, right?

27. 02:20

    Host 1: Yes, they have different rules too.

28. 02:22

    Host 2: So how do you actually apply in Texas? Like what are the steps?

29. 02:25

    Host 1: Well, you can go to a website. it is yourtexasbenefits.com or you can go to a local office.

30. 02:31

    Host 2: Can you just mail it in?

31. 02:32

    Host 1: Yes, you can send it by mail or by fax.

32. 02:35

    Host 2: What if they have questions?

33. 02:36

    Host 1: They can just call 2-1-1 or they can call 1-877-541-7905.

34. 02:43

    Host 2: And is there a fee?

35. 02:44

    Host 1: No, absolutely not. It is free to apply. You apply yourself on the state's website or phone line. Okay, separate from applying, let us talk about the card. Do you know how to check your balance? You only have a few approved ways. A store receipt, the Your Texas Benefits app, yourtexasbenefits.com, or calling 1-800-777-7328. Do not use other apps or websites to check your balance. Stick to the state's tools. Crooks put a little device on a store card reader and they use it to steal your info.

36. 03:14

    Host 2: Oh man, how do we stop them?

37. 03:16

    Host 1: You have to look at the reader before you swipe. See if it looks loose or weird.

38. 03:20

    Host 2: And I guess guard your PIN, right?

39. 03:22

    Host 1: Yes, change your PIN often. The state says once a month. And freeze your card in the app when you are not using it. Oh, and the state never calls to ask for your PIN.

40. 03:32

    Host 2: Good to know. But, uh, what happens if money gets stolen anyway?

41. 03:36

    Host 1: You call 1-800-777-7328 right away. You tell them to cancel the card.

42. 03:42

    Host 2: Do you get the stolen money back?

43. 03:43

    Host 1: Right now, stolen food benefits cannot be paid back.

44. 03:47

    Host 2: Well, what if you do not live in Texas? Like, what if you live somewhere else?

45. 03:52

    Host 1: That top amount of up to $1,023 for a family of four. It is the exact same in 48 states and DC.

46. 03:59

    Host 2: Wow, so the top amount applies almost everywhere.

47. 04:02

    Host 1: Yes, but you apply in your own state. Each state has its own form.

48. 04:06

    Host 2: How do you find your state's path?

49. 04:08

    Host 1: You call the national SNAP line. It is 1-800-221-5689.

50. 04:14

    Host 2: Awesome. And you know, if you are not sure what help is out there, benefitbull.com can help you look. You still apply yourself on the real program site.

51. 04:23

    Host 1: Exactly. So bringing it all the way back. A page on the calendar, your grocery cart.

52. 04:29

    Host 2: October 1. And up to $1,023 a month for four, estimated.

53. 04:35

    Host 1: You remembered to say estimated.

54. 04:36

    Host 2: I did. So, what is coming?

55. 04:39

    Host 1: We look at Indiana health coverage. New work rules start in January, but the twist? October already counts.

56. 04:46

    Host 2: Wait, this October?

57. 04:47

    Host 1: Yes. And hey, this and a lot more, you can find at benefitbull.com.

58. 04:52

    Disclosure: Quick note: the voices on Your Daily Benefit are AI generated.