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SNAP / Food StampsThe East Texas Food Bank helps connect people with benefits they may be eligible for, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) formerly known as Food Stamps, helping them feed themselves and their families.
How does the SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamp Program, work?
The SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamp Program, helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health. Through its outreach efforts, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service work with the State of Texas and local food stamp agencies, advocates, employers, community and faith-based organizations, and others to reach out to eligible low-income people who are not currently participating in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program. The program provides information about the nutrition benefits of food stamps and helps people make an informed decision about participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program. Food Stamps in Texas are provided through the Lone Star Card – an electronic debit card that is used like a credit card at the cash register. Each month, the family’s approved monthly food stamp amount is placed in the card’s account. For adults between the ages of 18 and 50, who do not have a child in the home, food stamp benefits are limited to three months in a three-year period unless the adult works at least 20 hours a week or participates in an employment or training program. There are some Program DescriptionEach month, hundreds of thousands of families across the state turn to the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) to receive help in the form of food stamps to help feed their families. Read on to learn how you can receive help if you qualify. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) establishes all eligibility and certification policies. Your eligibility for benefits will depend on your situation on the following criteria:
While the website www.GovBenefits.gov has the ability to pre-screen your eligibilityat a high-level, you must work with your local county Department of Health and Human Services (HHSC) office to confirm your eligibility. To do this, you will need to apply for benefits and participate in an interview, either in-person or by phone. General Program RequirementsFood Stamps are provided as long as a person or family meets the program requirements. A renewal application is sent to a participating family before the end of each benefit period. Most benefit periods last for six months but some can be asshort as one month or as long as three years. In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the State of Texas and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself).
Making America Stronger commemorates the 30th anniversary of the of the reforms achieved by the Food Stamp Act of 1977 by telling the story of how food stamps dramatically reduced the extent of severe hunger in our country, how they continue to help Americans in need, and how this essential program can achieve still more.
NOTE: Video contains some graphic images of the effects of malnutrition and hunger on children. Video may take a few minutes to load depending on your Internet connection speed. Application ProcessFor more information, contact one of our Outreach Specialists at the East Texas Food Bank:
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East Texas Food Bank, Tyler, Texas 903-597-3663, 800-815-3663, Fax 903-597-7659 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 6974 Tyler, TX 75711 Physical Address: 3201 Robertson Tyler, TX 75701 Website powered by Group M7 Copyright © 2001-2009 East Texas Food Bank All Rights Reserved |
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How It Works
