Texas SNAP — officially called Your Texas Benefits (SNAP) — uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), which raises the gross income threshold well above the strict federal minimum of 130% FPL used in states like Tennessee and South Dakota. For most Texas households, that means a significantly higher earnings ceiling and no asset test standing in the way.
Texas has the largest SNAP caseload of any state, serving more than 3 million people each month. Benefits are loaded onto the Lone Star Card, Texas’s branded EBT card, and the program is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
This guide covers every income threshold for 2026, how deductions work, and what BBCE means for your specific household.
Texas SNAP Gross Income Limits 2026
Gross income is your total household income before any deductions — wages, self-employment, Social Security, unemployment, child support received, and all other sources combined. Under BBCE, most Texas households must keep gross monthly income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
| Household Size | Max Monthly Gross Income (200% FPL) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,430 |
| 2 | $3,288 |
| 3 | $4,144 |
| 4 | $5,000 |
| 5 | $5,858 |
| 6 | $6,714 |
| 7 | $7,570 |
| 8 | $8,428 |
| Each additional | +$858 |
Source: Texas HHSC, effective October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.
That’s a dramatically higher ceiling than neighboring states without BBCE. A household of 4 earning $4,500/month would be automatically disqualified under the strict 130% FPL standard used in Tennessee ($3,250 limit) — but qualifies comfortably in Texas.
A note on this figure: some third-party sources cite Texas’s BBCE gross limit at 165% FPL rather than 200% FPL. This guide uses 200% FPL to match Texas HHSC’s broader categorical eligibility policy as most commonly reported. If your household’s income falls between these two thresholds, confirm your specific eligibility directly with HHSC at 2-1-1 before assuming you don’t qualify.
To see how Texas compares to every other state, see the national SNAP income limits guide.
Texas SNAP Net Income Limits 2026
Net income is what remains after SNAP’s allowable deductions are subtracted from your gross income. Most Texas households — except those with elderly or disabled members exceeding the gross test — must pass both the gross and net income tests.
| Household Size | Max Monthly Net Income (100% FPL) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $1,215 |
| 2 | $1,644 |
| 3 | $2,072 |
| 4 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $2,929 |
| 6 | $3,357 |
| 7 | $3,785 |
| 8 | $4,214 |
| Each additional | +$429 |
Source: Texas HHSC, effective October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026.
How Deductions Reduce Your Net Income in Texas
Deductions lower your gross income to arrive at your net income. Texas’s size means housing costs vary enormously by region — from expensive Austin and Dallas metro rents to far more affordable rural West Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
Standard Deduction
Every Texas household receives a flat standard deduction regardless of actual expenses:
| Household Size | Standard Deduction |
|---|---|
| 1–3 members | $204/month |
| 4 members | $217/month |
| 5 members | $254/month |
| 6+ members | $291/month |
Earned Income Deduction
If anyone in your household earns wages or self-employment income, 20% of that earned income is automatically deducted before the net income test.
Texas’s workforce spans oil and gas jobs across the Permian Basin, healthcare and service workers in Houston and San Antonio, tech and finance jobs in Austin and Dallas, and agricultural work across the Rio Grande Valley. For hourly and service-sector workers throughout the state, this 20% deduction is often the difference between passing and failing the net income test.
Excess Shelter Deduction
Rent or mortgage payments plus utility costs that exceed 50% of your net income — after other deductions — can be deducted. For 2026, this deduction is capped at $712/month for most Texas households. The cap does not apply to households with an elderly or disabled member, who may deduct the full shelter and utility amount.
Austin and parts of Dallas-Fort Worth have seen some of the fastest rent growth in the country, while much of rural and small-town Texas remains far more affordable — meaning this deduction’s real-world impact varies significantly depending on where in the state you live.
Standard Utility Allowance
Texas offers a fixed Standard Utility Allowance for households paying heating or cooling costs. Texas summers are extreme, and air conditioning costs across nearly the entire state — especially in Houston’s humid climate and the desert heat of West Texas — make the cooling component of this deduction particularly significant almost year-round.
Dependent Care Deduction
Childcare or adult dependent care costs paid so a household member can work, look for work, or attend job training are fully deductible — up to the actual amount paid.
Medical Expense Deduction
Elderly (60+) or disabled household members can deduct out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeding $35/month. Qualifying costs include prescriptions, doctor visits, dental care, transportation to medical appointments, and health insurance premiums not covered by insurance.
For a full breakdown of income sources excluded from gross income, see what income is not counted for SNAP.
Worked Example: How Deductions Calculate Net Income in Texas
Here is how a Texas household’s gross income is reduced to net income step by step.
Household: Grocery store worker, spouse, two children — household of 4 Location: San Antonio, Texas Gross Monthly Income: $3,600 (retail/grocery wages)
| Step | Calculation | Remaining Income |
|---|---|---|
| Start with gross income | — | $3,600 |
| Subtract 20% earned income deduction | $3,600 × 20% = $720 | $2,880 |
| Subtract standard deduction (household of 4) | $217 | $2,663 |
| Subtract excess shelter costs (rent $1,100 + utilities $220 = $1,320; 50% of $2,663 = $1,332; excess = $0) | $0 | $2,663 |
| Net Monthly Income | $2,663 |
Gross income test: $3,600 is below Texas’s 200% FPL BBCE limit of $5,000 for a household of 4. ✓ Passed. Net income test: $2,663 is slightly above the net limit of $2,500 for a household of 4. ✗ This household would not qualify under the net income test despite passing the gross test — a reminder that BBCE expands the gross income ceiling but does not eliminate the net income requirement for most households.
This example illustrates why Texas households sometimes assume BBCE guarantees eligibility when it only removes the asset test and raises the gross income ceiling — the net income test still applies.
Special Income Rules for Texas Households
Elderly and Disabled Households
Texas households where at least one member is age 60 or older or has a qualifying disability are exempt from the gross income test entirely if their income exceeds the standard limit. They only need to pass the net income test at 100% FPL, combined with an asset test.
Asset Limits
Under BBCE, most Texas households face no asset test at all — this is one of the biggest practical advantages of Texas’s SNAP policy compared to non-BBCE states like Tennessee and South Dakota. You do not need to spend down savings or sell assets to qualify.
The exception: households that are entirely elderly (60+) or disabled and whose gross income exceeds the 200% FPL threshold face an asset limit, generally reported around $5,000 in countable assets. Exempt assets include your primary home, one vehicle per household, and retirement accounts.
What Counts as Income in Texas
All of the following count toward your gross income in Texas:
- Wages and salaries (gross, before taxes)
- Self-employment net profit (after business expenses)
- Social Security and SSI payments
- Unemployment insurance benefits
- Child support received
- Pension and retirement income
- Workers’ compensation
LIHEAP energy assistance payments, EITC tax refunds, and most student financial aid do not count toward gross income. For a full breakdown, see what income is not counted for SNAP.
No State Income Tax
Texas has no state income tax, meaning gross wages before any state withholding count toward the SNAP income test — the same as in South Dakota. This doesn’t change your SNAP calculation directly, but it does mean Texas workers keep a larger share of their gross pay than workers in states with income tax.
Food Restriction Legislation
Texas has proposed legislation to restrict certain SNAP purchases. As of 2026, no restriction is in effect — all federally approved SNAP items remain purchasable. Verify current status with HHSC before applying if this has changed.
How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Affects Texas SNAP in 2026
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, introduced several changes affecting Texas SNAP recipients starting in the 2026 benefit year.
Expanded work requirements: Able-bodied adults without dependents (ABAWDs) must now meet 80 hours per month of work, training, or volunteering. The age range has expanded from 18–54 to 18–64, and parents of children aged 14 and older are also now subject to work requirements.
Texas enforces ABAWD time limits in most areas — adults without dependents must work or participate in an approved program at least 20 hours per week to receive SNAP beyond 3 months in a 36-month period, absent a waiver. See the full breakdown at SNAP work requirements and check who is exempt.
More frequent recertification: Recertification periods in Texas typically run 6 to 12 months for most households, though elderly or disabled individuals may be certified for up to 24 months. Complete your renewal through YourTexasBenefits.com well before your certification end date to avoid a gap in benefits.
What has not changed: Texas’s BBCE-expanded income limits and elimination of the asset test for most households remain in effect for 2026. For a full national breakdown of what changed, see our Big Beautiful Bill SNAP changes guide.
Texas SNAP Maximum Benefit Amounts 2026
If you qualify, your monthly benefit is calculated as:
Monthly Benefit = Maximum Benefit − (30% × Net Monthly Income)
A household with zero net income receives the full maximum benefit for their size.
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $292 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $975 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,524 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each additional | +$219 |
Source: USDA FNA, effective October 1, 2025.
How to Apply for Texas SNAP
If your income falls within the limits above, here is how to move forward:
- Review full eligibility rules — income limits are one part of eligibility. Residency, citizenship, household composition, and work requirements all apply in Texas. See the complete Texas SNAP eligibility guide before applying.
- Gather your documents — photo ID, proof of Texas residency, pay stubs or income statements for all household members, Social Security numbers, and proof of housing costs.
- Apply online through YourTexasBenefits.com — create an account and select “Apply for Benefits.” The full application typically takes 20–45 minutes.
- Or apply by phone or in person — call 2-1-1 (select the benefits option) or visit a local HHSC office.
- Complete your interview — an HHSC caseworker will contact you to verify your information. Standard processing takes up to 30 days; households with very low income may qualify for expedited benefits within 7 days.
- Receive your Lone Star Card — once approved, benefits are loaded to your Texas EBT card each month on a date tied to your case number.
For a full step-by-step walkthrough, see the Texas SNAP application guide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Texas SNAP Income Limits
What is the Texas SNAP income limit for a single person in 2026?
For a single person, Texas’s gross monthly income limit under BBCE is $2,430 (200% FPL) and the net monthly income limit is $1,215 (100% FPL). Most single-person households face no asset test under BBCE.
What is the Texas SNAP income limit for a family of 4?
A household of 4 must have a gross monthly income at or below $5,000 (200% FPL) and a net monthly income at or below $2,500 (100% FPL). As shown in the worked example above, passing the gross test under BBCE does not guarantee passing the net income test — both still apply.
The maximum monthly benefit for a family of four is $975/month.
Does Texas use BBCE and what does that mean for me?
Yes. Texas uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, which raises the gross income limit to 200% FPL (well above the federal 130% FPL minimum) and eliminates the asset test for most households. This means more Texas households qualify on the gross income test, and most don’t need to worry about savings or vehicle value affecting their eligibility — but the net income test still applies.
Does Texas have an asset test?
For most households, no. BBCE eliminates the asset test entirely for the majority of Texas SNAP applicants. The exception is households that are entirely elderly or disabled and exceed the gross income limit, who face an asset cap of roughly $5,000.
How is the Lone Star Card different from other states’ EBT cards?
The Lone Star Card is simply Texas’s branded name for its EBT card — functionally identical to EBT cards in every other state and usable at any SNAP-authorized retailer nationwide. Texas benefits are interoperable across all 50 states.
When do Texas SNAP income limits change?
Texas SNAP income limits are updated every October 1 to reflect the new federal fiscal year FPL guidelines. The figures in this guide are effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026.
Always confirm current limits with HHSC at yourtexasbenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1 before applying.
Additional Texas SNAP Resources
- Texas SNAP Eligibility Guide — Full eligibility rules including residency, citizenship, work requirements, and BBCE details
- Texas SNAP Application Guide — Step-by-step instructions for applying through YourTexasBenefits.com
- How to Check Your SNAP Balance in Texas — Check your Lone Star Card balance by phone, online, or at the register
- Texas Medicaid Income Eligibility — Medicaid income thresholds for Texas residents
- Texas WIC Income Guidelines — WIC eligibility for households with pregnant women or children under 5
- SNAP Income Limits — National Overview — Compare Texas’s limits to all 50 states
- Texas HHSC SNAP Portal — yourtexasbenefits.com
This guide reflects the 2026 SNAP fiscal year income limits, effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. Income limits and benefit amounts are updated each October. Some sources report Texas’s BBCE gross income threshold differently (165% vs. 200% FPL) — always verify current figures directly with HHSC at yourtexasbenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1 before applying.