In Texas, SNAP benefits are distributed monthly through the Lone Star Card, also known as the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. It functions similarly to a debit card and is used in the same way, with it being swiped at grocery stores that accept them.
Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) payments are staggered from the first to the 28th of each month, based on the last two digits of each household’s Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.
The last round of March SNAP benefits payments in Texas
Beneficiaries are divided into two broad categories based on whether they were certified before or after June 1, 2020:
- Households that were certified before June 1, 2020 send benefits between the 1st and 15th of each month.
- The second group is households that were certified after June 1, 2020, send benefits between the 16th and 28th, based on the last two digits of their Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.
As March 2025 nears its end, a few groups have yet to receive their payments. This is a list of those who are waiting to receive their deposits in the Lone Star Card.
- EDG ending at 75-78: March 22
- EDG ending at 79-81: March 23
- EDG ending at 82-85: March 24
- EDG ending at 86-88: March 25
- EDG ending at 89-92: March 26
- EDG ending at 93-95: March 27
- EDG ending at 96-99: March 28
Let’s discuss the maximum SNAP amounts you can expect. The federal amounts are set by the US Department of Agriculture and are determined by a variety of factors, including the size of the household in terms of the number of people:
- Household size 1: $292
- Household size 2: $536
- Household size 3: $768
- Household size 4: $975
- Household size 5: $1,158
- Household size 6: $1,390
- Household size 7: $1,536
- Household size 8: $1,756
- Each additional person: $220
These values apply to the 49 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. Homes in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands have higher values due to the higher cost of living there.
Discounts that only Texans have with SNAP benefits
Texas SNAP recipients gain access to cultural, technological, and basic services, in addition to food. The Lone Star Card manages these benefits, which range from farmer’s market incentives to cultural attraction discounts and digital memberships.
SNAP benefits can be used at any authorized location that accepts EBT transactions. This includes supermarkets like Walmart, H-E-B, convenience stores, and farmers markets.
Furthermore, since 2021, the state has allowed online purchases through platforms such as Amazon and Walmart, making food more accessible to people with limited mobility or living in remote areas.
Federal regulations define eligible products as fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and breads. They exclude prepared foods, alcohol, and non-food items. The Lone Star Card is compatible with state programs that provide additional benefits, including discounts on internet services and reduced memberships.
Texas is notable for its participation in Double Up Food Bucks, a USDA-funded program that doubles SNAP purchasing power on fresh produce.
Beneficiaries receive an additional dollar in bonuses for every dollar spent on fruits and vegetables, for a maximum of $40 per day. “This incentive not only improves families’ diets, but also strengthens local farmers,” according to a program statement.
Users at Houston’s Urban Harvest Farmers Market have reported monthly savings of up to $80. The Texas Farmers’ Market Association reports that over 50 markets in the state will participate in this initiative by 2024. The bonuses must be redeemed on the same day, encouraging planned purchases.
When you present your Lone Star Card, museums, zoos, and educational centers in Texas will give you free or discounted admission. The Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin offers free admission to the holder and their companions, while the Houston Zoo lowers admission from $19.95 to $8 per person.
Policies vary at institutions such as the Galveston Children’s Museum and the Discovery Place Interactive Museum in Texarkana; some are completely free, while others offer 50% discounts. It is recommended that you check specific requirements, as some places require advanced reservations or limit the number of annual visits.
Amazon Prime has a discount with the Lone Star Card
SNAP recipients can get Amazon Prime membership for $6.99 per month, a 53% discount. Additionally, the federal Lifeline program provides up to $30 per month for internet and $100 for electronic devices.
The Texas Public Service Commission offers electricity payment assistance to households with incomes under 200% of the federal poverty line. “These supports are vital to avoid service cuts in times of extreme heat,” said a spokesperson in 2023.
