SNAP Eligibility Calculator – Texas

Texas’s gross income limit for SNAP is approximately $1,768/month for a 1-person household (130% FPL) — the standard federal threshold. Both a gross and net income test apply based on household size. Use the SNAP eligibility calculator to check your household and get a personalized benefit estimate.

The maximum SNAP benefit for 1 person in Texas is $292/month. Most households receive less depending on net income after deductions. The full breakdown by household size is on the Texas SNAP benefits page.

You apply based on the county where you currently live. Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) processes applications through local offices and online at YourTexasBenefits.com. The portal routes your application to the correct regional office automatically — you don’t need to locate your specific county office first. Texas has HHS offices in every major metro and rural county.

Yes — SNAP eligibility is based on current monthly income, not employment history. Zero-income households can qualify. ABAWD (able-bodied adult without dependents) work requirements apply for adults 18–54 without dependents — exemptions exist for illness, caregiving, and active job training.

Yes — Texas uses Standard Utility Allowances (SUA) and a shelter deduction that reduces countable net income. Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio have all seen significant rent increases in recent years — entering your actual rent gives the most accurate estimate. Texas heat means summer electricity bills can be substantial and should be documented.

Yes — all three count as unearned income. If your household includes someone 60+ or disabled, only the net income test applies — not the gross income limit. That rule makes SNAP considerably more accessible for Texas seniors on fixed Social Security income.

Yes — but students enrolled at least half-time must meet one exemption: working 20+ hours/week, participating in work-study, caring for a dependent child, enrolled in an approved job training program, or having a qualifying disability. Students at UT Austin, Texas A&M, Texas State, and community colleges statewide may qualify if they meet one of these criteria.

For most Texas households, no — Texas uses broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) which removes the asset test for the majority of applicants. Savings, a vehicle, or other resources generally won’t affect your eligibility. A resource limit applies only in limited elderly or disabled cases under specific federal rules.

Yes — if your household includes someone 60+ or disabled, out-of-pocket medical expenses over $35/month are deductible from countable income, directly increasing your monthly benefit. Qualifying costs include prescriptions, copays, dental and vision care, and health insurance premiums not covered by Medicare or Texas Medicaid.

Yes — gig income counts as earned income for Texas SNAP. Enter your average monthly net earnings after deducting business expenses like gas and platform fees. The standard 20% earned income deduction applies to gig work, which reduces its impact on your monthly benefit.

Yes — grandparents raising grandchildren qualify as a SNAP household even if retired. The grandchildren’s presence increases household size, raising both the income limit and potential maximum benefit. Texas has one of the highest rates of grandparent-headed households in the country — contact your local HHS office or call 2-1-1 Texas for guidance on how your household is structured for SNAP purposes.

Yes — after all deductions (shelter, utilities, earned income, medical, child support) are applied, your net income must fall under 100% FPL. The exception: households with a member who is 60+ or disabled are exempt from the gross income test and only need to pass the net income test.

Yes — SNAP household status is based on who buys and prepares food together, not who shares an address. If you purchase and cook food separately from your parents, you qualify as your own one-person household. Only your income and expenses are evaluated, regardless of what your parents earn.

No — the COVID-era emergency allotments that temporarily boosted SNAP benefits nationwide ended in March 2023. Texas SNAP recipients now receive standard benefit amounts based on household size and net income. If your benefit dropped after March 2023, that reflects the end of the emergency program, not an error in your case.

Apply through YourTexasBenefits.com online, by phone at 2-1-1 (Texas Health and Human Services helpline), or in person at your local HHS office in Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, El Paso, or other locations statewide. After submitting, you’ll complete an interview and provide verification documents. The full process is in the Texas SNAP application guide.