How To Apply For Food Stamps In Houston Texas
In this guide, I will show you how to apply for SNAP benefits in Houston.
If you currently receive state benefits like Medicaid, CHIP, or TANF you could qualify for SNAP food benefits. This program helps Texas families who are considered low income to afford nutritious meals.
I’m Nick Bryant, founder of HoustonCaseManagers.com, where we assist medical professionals and Harris County residents to apply for financial assistance programs like food stamps.
Continue reading to learn more about how to apply for food stamps in Houston.
What Are SNAP Benefits?
SNAP is a federal food assistance program that helps families with the cost of food. Most people recognize this program as the “food stamps” program. SNAP is the official name for this Texas food benefits program and this acronym stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Who Manages The Texas Food Stamps Program?
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission manages the food stamp program. To apply for SNAP benefits you will have to go through this department. It should also be noted that Texas Health and Human Services is the place that you would apply for Medicaid, CHIP, TANF (welfare), Medicaid Retroactive Coverage, and other government assistance programs.
Eligibility For SNAP benefits In Texas
SNAP food benefits are typically awarded to low-income families in Texas.
Adults who are 18 to 49 years old and have no children can receive SNAP benefits for only 3 months during a 3 year period. Your benefit period can be extended if you work 20 hours a week or you are enrolled in a job training program. Low-income pregnant women and adults with disabilities may not have to work to receive food stamps in Texas.
Texas Food Stamp Income Limits
This chart provides you with estimates of the maximum monthly household income you can make and still receive food stamps in Texas.
| Household Size | Income Limits For Food Stamps (Texas) |
| 1 | $1,755 |
| 2 | $2,371 |
| 3 | $2,987 |
| 4 | $3,603 |
| 5 | $4,210 |
| Each additional person | $616 |
Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits In Texas
Here is the monthly amount of Texas SNAP benefits you could receive based on your family size.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefits (Texas) |
| 1 | $204 |
| 2 | $374 |
| 3 | $535 |
| 4 | $680 |
| 5 | $807 |
| 6 | $969 |
| 7 | $1,071 |
| 8 | $1,224 |
| Each additional person | $153 |
To ensure that you receive the max amount of food stamps that you are entitled to see our guide called 4 Steps To Increase Your Monthly Food Stamp Benefits.
Documents Need To Apply For SNAP Benefits
This is a general guideline of documents needed to apply for SNAP benefits:
- ID: driver’s license, school or work ID, medical insurance ID, voter’s registration card, birth certificate
- Proof of Address: library card showing address, voter’s registration card, utility bills, rent, or mortgage receipts showing address
- Proof of Income: check stubs, employment statement, social security, supplemental security income or veteran’s benefits, alimony, unemployment, retirement, or disability benefits
- Immigration Status: immigration/naturalization documents
- Expenses: rent or mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance on the property, child care costs, utilities (gas, water, electricity)
- Medical Expenses: summary of provided services such as doctor or hospital visits, detailed receipts showing unpaid medical expenses, prescriptions bottles showing cost on label or printout, medical payment agreement
- Verify Resources: bank accounts, savings accounts, stock shares or bonds, proof of rental properties
How To Apply For Texas Food Stamps Online
To apply for food stamps online you will need to visit YourTexasBenefits.com. This website is managed by Texas Health and Human Services, therefore you can also apply for government assistance programs like Medicaid and CHIP at Your Texas Benefits.
How To Apply For Texas Food Stamps By Phone
Call the Texas Health and Human Services Commission at 877.541.7905 to apply for food stamps by phone.
Applying for food stamps over the phone can be a lengthy process. If you choose to apply for SNAP benefits by phone, see our guide titled How To Navigate The Texas Health and Human Services Helpline, if you have trouble reaching an operator.
How To Apply For SNAP Benefits At A Local Food Stamp Office
There are two main agencies that offer face-to-face assistance with completing a food stamp application. Those agencies are:
* Texas Health and Human Services Commission
* City of Houston Health Department
In the following sections, we will provide you with a map of each food stamp office in Houston. We will also explain how Texas Health and Human Services and the City of Houston Health Department can help you apply for food stamps.
Houston Food Stamp Offices
Texas Health and Human Services
If you have ever wondered “where is a Houston food stamp office near me” this section will answer that question.
This listing of Texas Health and Human Services offices in Houston can help you apply for benefits like SNAP, Medicaid, and more.
- Baytown – 1300 South Highway 146, Baytown, TX 77520 – 281.427.9480
- Pasadena –2708 Cherrybrook Lane, Pasadena, TX 77502, 713.947.8130
- Fuqua – 10060 Fuqua Street, Houston, TX 77089 – 713.946.6861
- Harwin – 9450 Harwin Drive, Houston, TX 77036- 713.266.5536
- I-10 East- 10202 I-10 East, Houston, TX 77029, 713.673.6347
- Third Ward- 6124 Scott Street, Houston, TX 77021- 713.748.8450
- Telephone- 2110 Telephone Rd, Houston, TX- 713.921.5108
- N. Houston Rosslyn Center- 8511 N. Houston Rosslyn Rd, Houston, TX 77088 – 713.895.6800
- I-45 North – 3880 North Fwy, Houston, TX 77022- 512.424.6500
- Greenspoint – 220 Meadowfern Drive, Houston, TX 77067 – 281.874.0048
- Buffalo Speedway – 13838 Buffalo Speedway. Houston, TX 77045 – 713.433.3145
- Highway 6 – 2133 S. Texas 6, Houston, TX 77077 – 281.597.5200
- Galveston – 123 Rosenberg Street, Galveston, TX 77550 – 409.763.0277
- Texas City – 2000 Texas Avenue #405, Texas City, TX 77590 – 409.945.0317
- Tomball – 29250 249, Tomball, TX 77375 – 281.351.0637
City of Houston Multi-Service Centers
You can also apply for food stamps in person at a City of Houston Multi-Service Center.
These locations do not accept walk-in visits for food stamp assistance. To schedule an appointment, you will have to call the City of Houston Health Department appointment line at 832.393.5427.
Ask for an appointment with a “Client Access Specialist” who will help you to apply for food stamps. Client Access can also help you to apply for Gold Card, Medicaid, CHIP, and Texas Women’s Health Program.
Download Your Texas SNAP Application
Click HERE to download your SNAP application.
Using The EBT Card (Texas Food Stamps)
The EBT (electronic benefits transfer) or Lone Star Card is used to make food purchases once you are approved for SNAP. You will use your EBT Card the same way that you would use a debit card. With each purchase that you make with your EBT Card, your account will be charged.
How To Apply For Emergency Food Stamps (Expedited SNAP Benefits)
There are certain situations where the Texas Health and Human Services Commission will expedite your food stamp application. If you qualify for emergency food stamps you could receive your benefits in less than 24 hours. To qualify for expedited SNAP benefits in Texas you will need to meet one of the following qualifications:
- All household members are seasonal or migrant workers and are destitute with less than $100 in funds
- The household has less than $100 in funds and its monthly gross income is under $150
- The monthly household income and cash is less than the household’s monthly housing expenses
If you file for food stamps online or with a paper application, look for this section below. Your answers in this section will signal to the Texas Health and Human Services that your situation is emergent and potentially qualify you for emergency SNAP benefits.
You do not need to complete a special application to receive emergency food stamps. Simply apply for food stamps online at Your Texas Benefits or by phone (877.541.7905) and the Texas Health and Human Services will determine if you qualify.
Conclusion
If you are seeking a financial assistance program to help your family, you should consider the SNAP program. This government food assistance program can help you to pay for groceries. Best of all this program provides you with funds each month to buy food for your family. To apply for food stamps in Houston you have 3 options:
- Apply online by visiting YourTexasBenefits.com.
- You can call the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to apply for SNAP benefits by phone. The Texas food stamps phone number is 877.541.7905.
- Apply in person at a foodstamp office in Houston.
If you still have questions about how to apply for SNAP benefits in Houston, need a food stamp application, or anything else, leave a comment below and I will respond to you.
Similar Articles That May Be Of Interest To You:
- 4 Steps To Increase Your Monthly Food Stamp Benefits
- How To Apply For Emergency Food Stamps In Texas
- Where To Find Houston Food Pantries To Feed Your Family
Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.
I need to appeal a decision on my Lone Star SNAP application.
My financial situation was not understood.
They counted my job income to reject my application.
However, I lam no longer working as of a month ago.
Please let me know how I can appeal. I called 211 three times and there is no selection to do so.
I logged on to SNAP applications and there is no selection to do so.
I called my local office and they no longer make appointments
I submitted the documents necessary on time and no action has been taken.
Thank you for your attention. I do not have money for food. All of what I have goes to rent and electric.
My application is 1037711094
I am 79.
Hi Richard, I’m sorry you are having so much trouble reaching 211, trust me I know the feeling! As you likely know SNAP does not have a direct number, however, you would have to speak with someone there so that they can update your current monthly income.
One thought is to maybe call the City of Houston’s Client Access helpline. I know they can help you apply for SNAP benefits, therefore, they maybe able to give you guidance on what you can do to update your income. You can call them at 832.393.5427 (no long waits like 211) and see if they can guide you through the process of updating your income so that you can get all the benefits you are entitled to.
Not sure if you have applied for Houston Meals on Wheels Program, but you can find the agency that delivers in your zip code by using this table and simply typing your zip code. The organization that comes up can help you with deliveries.
You can also find Houston food delivery options here for food assistance while SNAP corrects your income.
Again I think the City of Houston Client Access (832.393.5427) may be your best bet to get someone on the phone quickly who can help you with questions about updating your income.
If I come across a better number to directly reach SNAP I’ll definitely reach out to you.
God bless!
Nick
Hey Richard, one more thing I thought of is if you need assistance with utilities there is a state program that helps with potentially 6-8 months of utility assistance each year for seniors.
They typically start to accept applications (or at list generate an interest list) beginning in November. Baker Ripley (713.590.2327) is the Houston area organization that can screen you for eligibility in November.
You can find more information about this state program (its called Texas Comprehensive Energy Assistant Program or Texas CEAP) by following the line below:
https://houstoncasemanagers.com/houston-utility-assistance-programs/#7_Texas_CEAP_6-8_months_of_utility_assistance_for_seniors
I don’t understand why with all the food stamps being handed out, why the elderly just don’t qualify for them because they get social security and a pension. There are stills bills to be paid, and food prices are going up so high that even with a decent income you still can’t afford much.
I see people with 4 and 5 carts of food, but there are elderly that barely have anything in theirs’s. I am retired and get social security and my husband gets social security, and they say we make so much money that we don’t qualify for stamps, but I don’t think that is fair.
Hi Mrs. Smith, it’s definitely frustrating. I have aging parents who are on a fixed income and in a similar situation. It’s very frustrating.
Short of having family members to help you out financially, a few options might be:
* Signing up for Meals on Wheels in Houston
* Some Medicare Advantage plans provide food benefits as well. Companies like Cigna, Aetna, Humana offer similar programs. I think the benefit was about $300 in grocery gift cards per 3 months. Not life-changing but a little extra.
* The Houston Food Bank offers free Senior Food Boxes each month. You can also contact the Houston Food Bank to find local food pantries. I have family in Baytown, and they’ve mentioned that some food banks out there actually give away meat. This is not the norm at food banks but definitely contact the Houston Food Bank and you may find a pantry that gives out the good stuff!
Bottom line I understand the frustration, but don’t understand why SNAP isn’t more generous with seniors, since you all are living on a fixed income.
Mrs. Smith here if you have any questions about food resources so please just let me know.
God bless!
Nick
Hello I am trying to apply to work at the food stamps office I don’t know where is the website to apply
Hi Jessica, visit:
https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com/Learn/Home
This is the website that you can apply for SNAP/food stamps, Medicaid, and other benefits.
I reapplied for my stamps in August. They said they received the application on September 7. I was cut off in June with no warning, or message telling me anything. I haven’t been able to talk to anyone since they said they received the application. My Your Texas Benefits doesn’t work properly. Do I have to reapply again?
Hi Terry,
I’m not certain if you will have to reapply again. Most agencies, Texas Health and Human Services included, allow you to appeal a decision. I did a quick search on the appeals process for Texas Health and Human Services, and it looks like you may have 90 days from the date you were denied/benefits stopped.
The best thing to do is continue calling daily to try and speak with someone. Definitely understand it’s easier said than done with the long wait times. If they tell you that your benefits are cancelled, maybe ask them if you can appeal that decision.
You can find more information about Texas food stamp appeals here.
I also found a number for an Appeals Division. You can call them at 512-231-5701 and they may be able to give you some clarification.
I’m trying to contact anyone from Snap to inform them of my new work status but I can’t reach anyone. I ‘ve just received 1 check and snap came through today. I want to ensure i can use this so they don’t come back and say i shouldn’t have
Hi Chandra, I wish I had a direct number to them because I know what those hold times are like.
You are doing the right thing by checking in with them if your income increased. I’ve always had the best luck calling as early as possible around 8 am.
Hi Nick. Can you tell me if you have to report a miner’s income on the foodstamp application?
Hi Krisi, I would imagine so, but don’t take that as the official word.
I’ll see if I can email someone from the food stamp office to see if you need to add a minor’s income and get back to you.
Mr. Bryant, thanks for helping the people who need assistance. I some questions for my brother in Texas. i live in California. Anyway he is living day by day with hardly any work. He loves work but unable to find one, you see he is an ex-con. He does odd jobs and he is also handicap. He’s not elegible for food stamps because he is 68. He is really struggling for a job, food, rent, well you know. Do you know of any assistance programs, food programs, jobs, etc, anything to help him. He is poor and lives alone with his dogs but still goes out everyday to find something.
Hi Richard, hope all is well.
One resource that you or your brother can reach out to is the City of Houston ReEntry Program. They offer classes to help individuals who were incarcerated find basic needs resources like you mentioned. Ideally they would like for people to sign up for their classes, however, if he calls them they may be able to provide him with guidance on ways that he can find work, food ect. Their number is 832.393.5467. You can visit the website for the ReEntry program here. The ReEntry is a good starting point to better understand what felony-friendly assistance programs are available in Houston.
The Houston Food Bank is a good alternative if he does not qualify for food stamps and needs food assistance in Houston. They have connections to food banks all over the city. These food banks do not perform a background check, so all he needs to do is show up the day of the food event and they will provide him with a bag of food…sometimes multiple bags because they have to give all the food away at the event. He can call Houston Food Bank at 832.369.9390 to learn about food pantries in his area. They also have a Senior Food Box they give away each month that he can ask Houston Food Bank about.
Another option is looking for nonprofits that serve his zip code. These nonprofits provide things like rent/utility assistance, food, clothing, job training, and more. To find the nonprofits in his area he can visit this link and type in his zip code in the table to see who helps his area.
Meals on Wheels could be another food option. I don’t believe his criminal record will disqualify him. To my understanding as long as you live in the zip code that the nonprofit serves and you are over 60 years old you should qualify for Meal on Wheels, which is 5 free meals each week for senior citizens. To find the nonprofit that provides meal deliveries in his area, he will need to visit this Houston meals on wheels guide and simply type his zip code to see who to call.
Richard if you or your brother have any questions just message me, I’m happy to help!
God bless!
Nick