Houston nonprofits are trying to get the word out about significant changes to the SNAP program. (rblfmr/Shutterstock).
Changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program are officially in effect in Texas. Here’s what you need to know.
Significant changes are being made to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) several months after the official signing of President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Many of these adjustments will trigger the loss of benefits for countless recipients, and will also impact the items beneficiaries are allowed to purchase. According to Houston Public Media, some of the biggest areas of concern involve employment requirements which have recently been revised.
The new rules state that people between 55 and 64 years of age will only be able to retain their eligibility if they work or attend training for a minimum of 20 hours per week, or a total of 80 hours every month. Katherine Byers, who works for the Houston Food Bank as its government relations officer, said this means close to 60,000 people will lose their benefits during different stretches depending on the volunteer and employment opportunities available to them. “They have to go through an orientation, and meet those 80 hours a month of work, training, or volunteering to maintain their benefits. Otherwise, you can only receive SNAP [for] three months every three years,” she said.
Byers noted that another aspect will further complicate the matter, which is that oftentimes, SNAP recipients experience a delay in receiving necessary information, or they find the wording of these changes confusing (because it often can be). “Different people hit their certification at different times. If they do not respond within 10 calendar days or don’t respond because it goes to the wrong address, they may not have updated that [and] they will be considered as failing to comply,” Byers told Houston Public Media.
Nonprofits are trying to get the word out about SNAP benefit changes
United Way of Greater Houston’s vice president of community outreach, Mary Vasquez, said many of the state’s nonprofit organizations are working to inform people about the various SNAP benefit program changes and how they’ll impact beneficiaries moving forward. “It’s important that these families have clear, timely information about the changes. We’re really doing our best to get the word out,” she said. Exemptions to this work requirement were previously made for other groups, like individuals aging out of foster care, unhoused people, and veterans. Those have since been removed.
In an effort to help people meet their required 80 hours of working or training each month, the Houston Food Bank is offering volunteer opportunities. “If you need to meet the [work] requirement — the 20-hour-a-week requirement through volunteering — the Houston Food Bank can provide that opportunity for you,” Katherine Byers told Houston Public Media. Her organization is also trying to help Texans remember to check for important notices from the SNAP program, and to remind them of upcoming changes to eligible items.
Beginning on April 1, recipients will no longer be able to purchase an array of goods with their Lone Star Cards, including:
- Fruits, raisins, and nuts that have been crystalized, candied, coated or glazed with caramel, yogurt, or chocolate
- Taffy
- Candy bars
- Gum
- Sweetened beverages (any drink containing more than 5 grams of sugar or any amount of artificial sweetener)
Additional changes can be found here.
