The Texas Health and Human Services Commission announced it will be providing February's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits early to give recipients more time to manage their resources.
In a news release, the Texas HHSC said it, along with other states, was told by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to issue benefits early because of the shutdown.
SNAP recipients will have their February benefits automatically loaded onto their Lone Star Cards by Jan. 20.
This change will allow Texas to issue benefits to about 3.5 million people.
Texas HHSC says it will issue benefits until federal funds are no longer available. The state will also continue to accept and process applications, but any benefits approved after funding runs out will be placed in a suspended status until more information on the government shutdown's impact on the program is available.
Texas HHSC provided recipients the following suggestion amid the government shutdown and uncertainty about future federal program funding:
- Recipients are encouraged to space their food purchases out throughout the month of February, rather than making mass purchases.
- Current clients who have already been determined eligible for February do not need to take any action to receive their benefits.
- Current clients who are in the process of renewing their benefits are encouraged to submit their verification documents as soon as possible.
- People who have applied for benefits are encouraged to submit their verification documents as soon as possible
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