Due to the government shutdown, SNAP recipients received their February benefits early. Those benefits were issued Jan. 20.
You can use the EBT card normally throughout the shutdown and benefits will roll over if unused.
Texas and other states received guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture instructing them to issue benefits early because of the shutdown, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).
The HHSC is encouraging recipients to space their food purchases out throughout the month of February, rather than making mass purchases.
Texas will continue to accept and process applications. However, any benefits approved after federal funding runs out will be in a suspended status until states receive more information from the federal government about the shutdown’s impact on program funding, HHSC said in a statement. It is unclear from the federal government when funds will run out.
For general updates about this federally funded program, people can go to hhs.texas.gov. To check benefit amounts, recipients can visit YourTexasBenefits.com or call the Lone Star Help Desk (800-777-7EBT). For questions about benefits, dial 2-1-1.
