Texas runs the second-largest SNAP program in the country. More than 3.5 million Texans receive food benefits every month through the Lone Star Card — a program that spans border colonias in the Rio Grande Valley, Houston’s sprawling neighborhoods, rural West Texas ranching communities, and everything in between.
Your Lone Star Card balance is available 24/7 by phone, app, or online. Here’s exactly how to check it, what Texas does differently from most states, and how to protect your benefits in a state where EBT fraud has become an organized, large-scale problem.
Texas Lone Star Card — Balance Check at a Glance
| Method | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 1-800-777-7328 · 24/7 · Free · English & Spanish |
| Website | YourTexasBenefits.com |
| App | Your Texas Benefits (iOS & Android) |
| Receipt | Prints after every SNAP purchase |
| ATM | Quest-logo ATMs · Cash benefits only |
Option 1 — Call 1-800-777-7328
Texas EBT Hotline: 1-800-777-7328 Free · 24/7 · English and Spanish
Texas’s hotline is one of the most bilingual in the country — the automated system operates fully in both English and Spanish from the first prompt. Given that Texas has the largest Spanish-speaking population of any US state, this isn’t just a feature — it’s essential.
Call, select your language, enter your 16-digit Lone Star Card number, and your balance is read back immediately. The line also lets you:
- Review recent transactions
- Report a lost or stolen card
- Request a replacement
- Change your PIN
Save 1-800-777-7328 in your contacts. All state EBT numbers: EBT Phone Numbers for All States.
Option 2 — YourTexasBenefits.com
Website: YourTexasBenefits.com
Texas has its own dedicated state benefits website — not the generic ebtEDGE or ConnectEBT platforms used by most states. YourTexasBenefits.com is where you manage your full SNAP case, check your balance, view transaction history, report household changes, and renew your benefits — all in one place.
First-time setup:
- Go to YourTexasBenefits.com
- Click “Sign Up”
- Enter your case number or Lone Star Card number, along with personal details
- Create your login credentials
The portal is available in English and Spanish and handles far more than balance checks — it’s the central hub for all Texas benefits management.
Only access your account at YourTexasBenefits.com. Texas SNAP recipients are frequently targeted by phishing attempts that mimic this site.
Option 3 — Your Texas Benefits App
Texas has its own official app: “Your Texas Benefits.” Search for it by name in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store — free on both.
The app mirrors the full YourTexasBenefits.com portal, optimized for mobile. Beyond balance checks it lets you manage your case, upload documents, and check your renewal date from your phone. Set up a deposit notification and you’ll know the moment your monthly Lone Star Card benefits arrive.
Fresh EBT by Propel is also a trusted free third-party option that works in Texas if you prefer a simpler balance-only app.
Option 4 — Store Receipt
Your balance prints at the bottom of every SNAP receipt automatically. You can also ask any cashier at a SNAP-authorized store for a balance inquiry without buying anything. With over 22,000 SNAP-authorized retailers across Texas, finding a nearby store is rarely a problem — but the SNAP Retailer Locator can help in less-populated areas.
Texas SNAP — What Makes This State Unique
Your card is the Lone Star Card. Issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Lone Star Card is one of the most recognized EBT cards in the country by name. It holds SNAP food benefits and, where applicable, cash assistance on a single card.
When benefits deposit. Texas deposits SNAP benefits between the 1st and 28th of each month, based on the last digit of your case number — the widest deposit window of any state in the country. That range means your deposit date could fall almost anywhere in the month. If you don’t know your specific date, log into YourTexasBenefits.com or call 1-800-777-7328 to confirm it. Late deposits: Why Didn’t My SNAP Benefits Reload?
Scale. Texas processes more SNAP cases than all but one other state. The sheer volume means the system is built for efficiency — the YourTexasBenefits.com portal and app are among the more capable state-built tools in the country, handling everything from initial applications to mid-certification reporting.
Rio Grande Valley and border communities. The Valley — Hidalgo, Cameron, Starr, and Webb counties — has some of the highest SNAP participation rates in the state. Many residents are bilingual or Spanish-dominant, and access to both English and Spanish services on every channel is critical here.
Rural West Texas. Presidio, Hudspeth, Culberson, and Loving counties are among the most remote in the continental US. For residents there, the phone hotline is often the only practical balance-check option. Loving County has fewer than 100 residents — the state’s smallest county by population.
EBT fraud scale. Texas has been one of the most heavily targeted states for organized EBT card skimming. Criminal networks have been documented installing skimming devices at H-E-B, Walmart, and smaller grocery stores across Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and the Valley. The scale of fraud in Texas is larger than in most states — which makes active card protection here more urgent.
Not yet enrolled? Check your eligibility at the Texas SNAP eligibility page or use the SNAP income limits guide. Apply through How to Apply for SNAP in Texas.
How much will you receive? Typical Lone Star Card benefit amounts are at the Texas SNAP benefits page.
274-day rule. Benefits expire after 9 months of no card activity. One purchase keeps your account active.
When Something Goes Wrong
Balance lower than expected
Log into YourTexasBenefits.com or the Your Texas Benefits app and go through your transaction history line by line. Look for stores you didn’t visit, dates you weren’t shopping, or amounts that don’t match your purchases.
If you spot anything suspicious, call 1-800-777-7328 immediately and report it. Texas requires disputes within 90 days of the transaction. Given the scale of organized skimming in Texas, acting fast is especially important here.
For missing or delayed deposits: Why Didn’t My SNAP Benefits Reload?
Lone Star Card declined
A declined card doesn’t automatically mean zero balance. Full breakdown: Why Is My EBT Card Not Working Today? Common causes:
- Wrong PIN — try again carefully; repeated failures can temporarily lock the card
- Demagnetized card — keep it away from phones and keys
- Store terminal issue — request manual card entry or try a different lane
- Insufficient balance — check before you head to the store
- Card deactivated — call 1-800-777-7328
Lost or stolen Lone Star Card
Call 1-800-777-7328 immediately. Your card is deactivated on the spot and a replacement is mailed within 5–7 business days with your full balance transferred. Full steps: Replacing Your Lost EBT Card and How to Report a Stolen EBT Card in Every State.
Protecting Your Lone Star Card Balance
Texas is one of the most aggressively targeted states for EBT skimming in the country. The combination of a large SNAP population, high-volume grocery stores, and organized criminal networks makes proactive protection essential — not optional.
Lock your Lone Star Card. The Your Texas Benefits app and YourTexasBenefits.com both let you freeze your card when you’re not shopping. Unlock it at the register, lock it when you leave. This single habit stops most skimming attempts even if your card data has been copied. Full setup: How to Lock Your EBT Card.
Change your PIN monthly. Use the app, YourTexasBenefits.com, or call 1-800-777-7328. Never use birthdays, “1234,” repeated digits, or anything tied to public information.
Inspect every card reader before swiping. At self-checkout terminals and ATMs — especially at high-volume stores in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio — give the card slot a firm tug before inserting your card. Texas skimming operations have been found at major national retailers, not just small stores.
Check your transactions several times a week. Texas’s wide deposit window (1st–28th) means checking once a month isn’t enough. A quick scan of your transaction history every 2–3 days keeps you well within the 90-day dispute window.
Never respond to unsolicited contacts. Texas HHSC will never call, text, or email asking for your Lone Star Card number or PIN. Hang up immediately and report it to 1-800-777-7328.
Frequently Asked Questions — Texas EBT Balance
What is the Texas EBT balance check number?
1-800-777-7328 — free, 24/7, fully bilingual in English and Spanish. Use it to check your balance, hear recent transactions, report a lost or stolen card, or change your PIN. All state numbers: EBT Phone Numbers for All States.
What is the Texas Lone Star Card?
The Lone Star Card is Texas’s official EBT card, issued by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). It holds SNAP food benefits and, where applicable, cash assistance, and is accepted at any SNAP-authorized retailer nationwide.
How do I check my Lone Star Card balance online?
Log into YourTexasBenefits.com with your case number or Lone Star Card number. You can also use the Your Texas Benefits app on iOS or Android. Both are available in English and Spanish.
When does Texas deposit SNAP benefits?
Between the 1st and 28th of each month — Texas has the widest deposit window of any state, based on the last digit of your case number. If you don’t know your specific date, log into YourTexasBenefits.com or call 1-800-777-7328.
Is Texas EBT customer service available in Spanish?
Yes — fully. The hotline at 1-800-777-7328, the YourTexasBenefits.com portal, and the Your Texas Benefits app all operate in both English and Spanish.
Why is my Texas EBT balance $0?
Most likely causes: benefits fully spent, account inactive for 274+ days, or unauthorized transactions — which are especially common in Texas given the scale of organized EBT fraud. Call 1-800-777-7328 immediately for a transaction review. The 90-day dispute window starts at the transaction date.
What do I do if my Lone Star Card is lost or stolen?
Call 1-800-777-7328 immediately to deactivate it. Replacement arrives in 5–7 business days with your full balance. Full guidance: Replacing Your Lost EBT Card and How to Report a Stolen EBT Card.
Can I lock my Texas Lone Star Card?
Yes — through the Your Texas Benefits app or at YourTexasBenefits.com. Given Texas’s fraud environment, locking your card between shopping trips isn’t just a precaution — it’s a necessity. Setup: How to Lock Your EBT Card.
What can I buy with my Texas Lone Star Card?
Most grocery essentials. Full list: SNAP-eligible foods. Find authorized stores: grocery stores that take EBT.
How much SNAP will I get in Texas?
Depends on household size and income. Typical amounts: Texas SNAP benefits page. Estimate your range: SNAP income limits.
Am I eligible for Texas SNAP?
Check current rules and limits at the Texas SNAP eligibility page. Ready to apply? How to Apply for SNAP in Texas.
Bottom Line
Texas has the widest SNAP deposit window in the country — 1st through 28th — which means knowing your specific date is more important here than anywhere else. Call 1-800-777-7328 in English or Spanish for an instant balance check, or use the Your Texas Benefits app or YourTexasBenefits.com for full case management.
Given Texas’s scale of organized EBT fraud, locking your Lone Star Card between shopping trips and checking transactions every few days isn’t optional — it’s the cost of protecting 3.5 million dollars’ worth of monthly benefits that Texas families depend on.
National SNAP helpline: 1-800-221-5689
Last updated: 2026 · Source: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Verify current details at hhs.texas.gov or benefits.gov.