Emergency Food Stamps: How To Get Benefits In Just 24 Hours

emergency food stamps
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Emergency Food Stamps: How To Get Benefits In Just 24 Hours


If your family is currently in a tough situation and you need emergency food stamps in Texas pay close attention because in this article I will show you 3 ways to qualify for this benefit.  The expedited food stamp program is important because in most cases the Texas Health and Human Services Commission would take at least 30 days to make a ruling and award you with benefits. The emergency food stamp program makes it to where you can potentially receive your benefits by the next business day.   If you are wondering if you can get emergency food stamps the same day in Texas, the answer is yes if you qualify. In the next section, I will go over the 3 ways to qualify for Expedited food stamps in Texas. 

3 Ways To Qualify For Emergency Food Stamps In Texas

To qualify for expedited SNAP benefits you must meed one of the following: 

  • 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 fall into any of the categories above you definitely want to contact your nearest food stamp office in Houston to apply for benefits. 

what are food stamps?

How To Apply For Emergency Food Stamps

Applying for same day food stamps is exactly the same as applying for regular food stamps. It comes down to essentially 5 different ways to apply which are: 

  • Downloading a Texas food stamps application, completing it, and mailing it back
  • Mailing an application to yourself to complete and send back (see the video below)

Section B On The Texas SNAP Application Helps Determine Eligibility For Emergency Food Stamps

When applying for benefits it is important to pay attention to Section B on the food stamps application. 

Section B will determine whether or not you will qualify for emergency food stamps, therefore you must answer these questions.

If you meet the conditions seen below then Texas Health and Human Services could award you food stamps in less than 24 hours. 

emergency food stamps

Documents Needed To Apply For Emergency Food Stamps In Houston

This is a general guideline of documents needed to apply for expedited SNAP benefits. Contact any of these food stamp offices to verify the documents needed. SNAP Application: Click HERE to download your copy

  • 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 unreimbursed 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

Expedited Food Stamps Interview

Once you submit your food stamps application someone will call you to set up an appointment to review your application to make a determination on your benefits. This typically takes place at an office, however, if you cannot get to their location you can request a phone interview.  During this interview, a worker will review your application to ensure your information is correct. They will also determine that you met the requirements for emergency food stamps based on the SNAP Expedited Screening Sheet Remember to qualify for emergency food stamps you will need to meet one of the following requirements: 

  • 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

How Long Does It Take To Get Food Stamps After The Interview In Texas? 

You can receive SNAP benefits in as little time as 24 hours or as long as 30 days. The timeframe will depend on whether you qualify for Texas emergency food stamps or not. If you qualify for expedited SNAP benefits you can receive benefits by the next day.  Those who do not qualify for emergency food stamps can expect to receive their benefits in less than 30 days. 

Receiving Your Emergency SNAP Benefits In Texas

If you are approved for SNAP benefits you may wonder if you can get emergency food stamps the same day in Texas?  According to Section B of the food stamp application, you could receive your benefits by the next business day. These benefits would be uploaded onto a Lone Star Card (also known as an EBT card) which you would use just like a debit card.  If you apply for expedited SNAP benefits in an office, the caseworker can provide you with your Lone Star Card that same day. If you applied by phone you can choose to either have your card mailed to you or you can pick it up from a local food stamp office in Houston

Download An Emergency Food Stamps Texas Application

The same application that you use to apply for regular food stamps is the application that you will use to try and get emergency food stamps. When completing this application, be sure to pay close attention to Section B on this document. The answers to the questions in this section will be used to approve or deny you for same day food stamps. 

Conclusion

It typically takes 30 days to process a request for food stamps, however, if you qualify for emergency food stamps you can potentially receive your benefits by the next business day.  To start the process of applying for emergency food stamps in Texas you will need to complete and submit a food stamp application. Should you meet one of the 3 requirements for expedited SNAP benefits a worker will contact you to initiate the process.  For more information about emergency food stamps, you can contact the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (they manage the food stamps program) at 877.541.7905 or visit Your Texas Benefits.   If you are in need of food resources see the articles below for help: 

 

24 thoughts on “Emergency Food Stamps: How To Get Benefits In Just 24 Hours

  1. Brandon McCaskill Reply

    I never applied or received foodstamps in Texas and want to make sure I all things I need. It’s more than emergency, it’s needed ASAP.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Brandon hope all is well my man.

      If you are worried about completing the Texas SNAP application correctly consider calling Texas Health and Human Services directly. They can help you complete the Texas food stamp application. The wait to speak to someone may be 2 hours, but again they will help you step by step to complete the form correctly. Once you’re done they’ll mail the application to you for you to sign and send back to them.

      Regarding emergency food stamps if your household has under $150 in the bank (refer to the article above for specifics going off the top of my head) and you will receive no income in the coming weeks, then at least on paper, emergency food stamps in Texas should be worth considering.

      The other immediate food options are:

      * Calling Houston Food Bank to learn about food pantries in the area.
      * If you have children under 5 years old WIC may be an option.
      * Also if you have children the IRS are sending out $250 to $300 checks as part of the Child Advance Tax Credit Program. They will send these checks monthly until January 2022. Also those amounts are per child.

    • Tania McCain Reply

      HI Brandon,

      If I completed my SNAP application yesterday and I have less than $100 in my account, no job, but over 1.1k in expenses each month, how likely would I be approve for expedited benefits today? I called and spoke to someone who just kept saying that I have to allow “normal processing times” which basically means 30 days, yet the rep I spoke to on Monday said “the next business day” for expedited benefits. 30 days is certainly not “expedited” and I’m actively searching for a job. Please advise when you have a chance!

      • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

        Hi Tania, Emergency food stamps in Texas qualify qualify somebody to receive food stamp benefits in less than one business day. If you apply on a Friday though then benefits may be delayed until that Monday. That being said Texas Health and Human Services has had a shortage of staff throughout the summer. It’s my understanding that this shortage has led to delays in processing food stamp applications and benefits. One alternative to help you with food assistance is checking the website called feeding America. All you have to do is enter your zip code and they will show you a listing of food pantries in your area. This could help you while you wait for Texas Health and Human Services to approve your food stamp benefits.

  2. Clay Rooker Reply

    Hi Nick
    I think that this information service you provide is incredible.
    You explain things clearly and thoroughly involving each topic and issue that I am trying to get an answer for.
    Thank you very much good sir.
    You are a blessing.

    Sincerely,

    T Clay Rooker

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      No problem at all Clay and thank you so much for the kind words! I work in the field and get frustrated/confused with the rules and requirements so I can only imagine what citizens who don’t deal with this stuff are going through.

  3. Valarie Minnard Reply

    Hello. I am new to Houston an I just applied online for snap benefits. I had been getting food stamps already however due to family issues my two sons and I relocated and I didnt get to Renee my benefits on time and benefits stopped. Now I am unemployed in a new city no family around two teens boys and 25 bucks to my name as I await income taxes. I did upload my lease with my application being that I moved but that is the only change to my case. Even though I did application online and already in the system already have a card can I still go to a local office to let them know I need benefits ASAP? I have food for my kids today when they get out of school but that is it. How can I get benefits put on my card by tomorrow?

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Valerie consider using feeding America website to find food pantries that are close to you. This may be the fastest way to get food assistance in your situation. You can find food banks in your city to provide you with food. Some even help with the process of applying for food stamps.

  4. Teresa Cruz-Reyes Reply

    If you get the emergency benefits do you receive the regular benefits on the scheduled day?

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Teresa! Emergency food stamps are the same as regular food stamps. The only difference is the time frame that you get the food stamps in. Emergency food stamps could be delivered to you in one business day while regular food stamps may take 30 days to receive. If you are referring to extra food stamps that have been issued during the pandemic then those food stamps could be delivered on different days for instance you may have a set date that you receive your regular food stamps and then you will receive your extra food stamps on a different day. Some states issue both regular food stamps and extra food stamps which are also called emergency allotment benefits on the same day. When referring to emergency food stamps it just depends on what you mean by that term.

  5. Angelica Murray Reply

    Could I qualify for SNAP benefits if I am waiting to be approved for unemployment benefits? I would qualify for the max benefit of $549 once approved

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Angelica, it will depend on how much your unemployment benefits are. You can receive unemployment and food stamps at the same time. Unemployment income is treated just like income from a job, so you would still need to fall under their income limits.

      Right now if your income is $0 (because you are waiting on a decision for unemployment) you could qualify, but you would want to call them back once you start receiving unemployment so they can recalculate your benefits.

      One thing you can do is use this Texas Food Stamp Calculator to see if you might qualify. You can enter your household size and expected monthly unemployment to see if you would qualify and how much you could receive each month.

      Hope that helps Angelica.

      Nick

  6. Lawanda Reply

    Will I qualify for food stamps if i only receive child support? Just moved to texas as well.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Lawanda, it depends on the amount of child support you receive. Child support income is treated the same as income from a job, so you have to fall under a specific income limit.

      The following link is a food stamp calculator for Texas. You can use it to determine whether or not you might qualify for food stamps and how much you might receive each month. Keep in mind this only gives you an estimate, it’s not guaranteeing you will qualify. Only Texas Health and Human Services can determine that you are eligible for SNAP.

      Here is the link to see how much your child support might qualify you in monthly Texas food stamps

      https://houstoncasemanagers.com/food-stamp-calculator-texas/

  7. Khadijah Cartwright Reply

    I had applied two months even call to get emergency stamps last week still nothing it’s very frustrating when you have children that are hungry

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Call your food stamp department in your state to ensure that they have all your documents. Many health and human services departments are experiencing staff shortages which could delay getting benefits out to you. Also consider finding food pantries in your area if they are delaying issuing your food stamp benefits there’s one website called feeding America where you simply visit, enter your zip code, and they’ll show you the food bank that services your city. Use that website to find food resources wow the Health and Human services department processes your food stamp application.

  8. T. Sweeney Reply

    Nick, I was released from TDCJ on June 21, 2022 and applied in person for emergency food stamps the following day. Two days later I was asked for additional documentation, which I presented in person. Additionally, I uploaded the documents to my Your Texas Benefits portal. As of this date, July 5, 2022, I still have not received any determination or communication about my benefits!? Is this the norm? Can you offer any advice as to receiving the needed benefits?! Thank you in advance.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Hi Todd hopefully you receive your food stamp benefits by now but if not contact 877 541 7905 and they can look at your application and tell you if any documents are missing. Regarding emergency food stamps this summer Texas Health and Human Services had some staff shortages and I think this may have caused a delay in getting food stamps issued. That could be part of the reason that your benefits may have been delayed. Going forward if you do have food stamps then you have questions about your benefits the telephone number that you want to call to check those is 800 777 7328. Let me know if you have any other questions good luck my man!

      Nick

  9. Mandy shaw Reply

    Yes I just got out of jail in Texas and have no income right now and have gone to hospital for mental illness and have no way to get meds filled can I get emergency food stamps

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      It’s possible if you fit the criteria in this blog post. I don’t certify people for food stamps. For you to apply you wouldn’t need 2 visit a food stamp office in Texas. Or you can visit the yourtexasbenefits.com website and you can apply online for Texas food stamps. You can also call them for more information at 877.541.7905. That telephone number can also help you find community resources in your area. Hope that helps you Mandy!

  10. Anon Reply

    I don’t understand why I would have been denied and no call from anyone either, just an alert I was denied. I have less than $100 in my account until next pay day which isn’t until next Friday, over a week from now and have two young children.

    • Nick Bryant Post authorReply

      Only going based on your comment, but it may be because you have a monthly income.

      If you have $100 in income and didn’t have a check coming next Friday, that would qualify you.

      To qualify for SNAP you have to fall under income limits. If your income was just low this month and you will bounce back next Friday that may be why they denied you. In that case a food pantry would be a better option if you only need temporary food assistance.

      You can use the Texas food stamp calculator if you have a long term need for food assistance. Enter your montly income and deducations to see if you might qualify for SNAP.

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