Texas SNAP Income Limits 2026: Who Qualifies

For FY2026, Texas's SNAP gross income limit is 165% of the Federal Poverty Level: $2,152 per month for one person and $4,421 for a family of four. Benefits pay up to $994/month for a family of four, and Texas applies a $5,000 asset limit.

Key takeaways

• →Check gross income against $2,152/month (1 person) up to $7,446 (8 people) — Texas's 165% FPL limit.
• →Under Texas's BBCE policy, qualifying households may be exempt from the separate federal gross- and net-income tests — but income and deductions still set your benefit, which can be $0.
• →Receive up to $994/month for a family of four — the federal FY2026 maximum.
• →Stay under $5,000 in countable resources — one vehicle up to $22,000 doesn't count.
• →Expect deposits the 1st–28th of each month.

Texas SNAP income limits by household size (FY2026)

Texas uses BBCE at 165% of the Federal Poverty Level — not the 200% figure some websites list. Confirmed from the Texas Works Handbook (C-111) and the USDA BBCE state chart.

Source: Texas Works Handbook C-111 (income limits) & USDA FNS BBCE chart — FY2026 (Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026).

How BBCE affects the income tests

In states using Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE) — including Texas — qualifying households may be exempt from the standard federal gross-income and net-income eligibility tests. However, household income and allowable deductions still affect the benefit calculation, and a household can receive a $0 result or otherwise be ineligible under program rules. The 100% FPL net figures in the table above are the federal reference points, not a separate hurdle every BBCE household must clear.

Deductions used in the benefit calculation include 20% of earned income, a standard deduction of $209–$299, dependent care, child support paid, and excess shelter costs up to $744. Your benefit equals the maximum allotment minus 30% of net income.

Note: households with a member who is elderly (60+) or disabled may be subject to different gross-income-test treatment — they are generally exempt from the gross test and evaluated on net income and resources.

Asset and resource rules

Texas uses BBCE — Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, a policy that links SNAP to a TANF-funded benefit. $5,000 in countable resources (one vehicle excluded up to $22,000 of value). Retirement accounts and your home never count. Households that don't qualify under BBCE can still qualify under the regular federal rules: $3,000 in countable resources, or $4,500 when a member is 60+ or disabled.

Households with someone 60+ or disabled

Special federal rules apply in every state, including Texas: no gross income test (only the net test), out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35/month are deductible, and the shelter deduction has no cap. An elderly/disabled person who lives with others and can't buy and prepare food separately can claim separate-household status when the rest of the household's income is under 165% FPL — $2,909/month for two people. These households also face no ABAWD work requirement (the 80-hour rule covers ages 18 through 64 who are able-bodied without dependents).

When Texas deposits benefits (EBT schedule)

Cases certified after June 1, 2020 are paid the 16th–28th based on the last two digits of the EDG number; older cases are paid the 1st–15th. Deposits post to your EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) card even on weekends and holidays. See the full 50-state deposit schedule.

Where to apply

Apply through Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) — online at yourtexasbenefits.com or by phone at 877-541-7905 (2-1-1, option 2). Interviews are by phone in most cases; expedited (7-day) SNAP is available if your household has almost no income or cash.

Frequently asked questions

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