A new month starting means what it means: new Social Security (SSA) payments. You probably already know this, but every time a new month begins, it brings with it a new round of payments to the beneficiaries of the different SSA programs. Today we’re here to talk to you about SNAP, but if you have questions about another payment, you can always check the SSA calendar where they explain which payment corresponds to each day of each month.
What is SNAP?
Now yes, let’s talk about SNAP. You probably know this too, but SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and it provides residents with greater economic difficulties with income in the form of EBT cards so they can spend in their closest supermarkets or stores only on fresh food. Keep in mind that there are already some states that want to ban the purchase of candy and soft drinks with these cards.
If you’re wondering why they’re not regular checks and everything is done through bank cards, the answer is simple: this way, they avoid the stigmatization of program users, keeping the information between them and the person attending them and the program.
This payment is handled by each state, and, in the state of Texas, for example, it’s managed by the Health and Human Services Commission.
What can you buy with SNAP?
As we mentioned, fresh foods (vegetables, meats, any type of food that contains protein, pasta, and other foods considered fresh), of course, alcoholic beverages, drugs, medicines, and similar are not included in this benefit.
Who can apply for SNAP?
Any person who is unemployed, low-income households, or groups of people with special needs. As for the program’s income limit, it will mainly depend on how much money the household earns (a person can receive the benefit if they earn less than $2,005, but a family of 5 also qualifies if they earn less than $4,832).
One of the latest updates to this program is that users who receive money from the program must at least be looking for work (those users between 18 and 52 years old).
When is the payment received in Texas?
In Texas, the payment day depends on the eligibility determination group (EDG) number, so the dates are as follows:
EDG 11-13: May 4
EDG 14-17: May 5
EDG 18-20: May 6
EDG 21-24: May 7
EDG 25-27: May 8
EDG 28-31: May 9
EDG 32-34: May 10
EDG 35-38: May 11
As you well know, the deposit goes directly to your EBT card (in Texas it’s known as the Lone Star Card), so you won’t have to do any kind of procedure.
SNAP may seem like just another payment, but we can’t even imagine how many families in the country survive thanks to help like this. In the state of Texas alone, 3.24 million people received this money in 2023, and food insecurity is something we should all be fighting in this country. In a country where 11.1% of people live below the poverty line, any help that reaches these people to achieve equality is not enough. Pay attention to the calendar, don’t miss the date!