Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Our Community Assistance Program provides SNAP assistance to help eligible individuals and families purchase food.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Our Community Assistance Program provides SNAP assistance to help eligible individuals and families purchase food.
Households who receive SNAP can use benefits to buy foods such as:
- breads and cereals
- fruits and vegetables
- meats, fish and poultry
- dairy products
The Houston Food Bank Community Assistance Program (CAP) provides assistance to people applying for SNAP.
To learn more about SNAP, please visit USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service.
FAQ
WHO CAN QUALIFY?
You may qualify for SNAP if…
✔ your income and other resources are under certain limits.
✔ you have a car, a house, and or some savings.
Only U.S. citizens and certain lawfully-present non-citizens may receive SNAP benefits. Non-citizens who are eligible based on their immigration status must also meet other SNAP eligibility requirements such as income and resource limits.
📌 If you are undocumented, and have children who are United States citizens, you can apply for SNAP on their behalf.
WHAT DO I NEED TO APPLY?
You’ll need when applying:
- Identification (for everyone in the household)
- Social security numbers (for everyone in the household)
- Utility bills (gas, electric, oil, water, and telephone)
- Rent receipt/agreement or mortgage statements and/or tax bill
- Proof of income (for everyone in the household)
- Medical expenses – ONLY if you are 60 and older and/or disabled
- Child day care expenses
To learn more about SNAP qualifications, please visit Your Texas Benefits.
SNAP 2025 Changes
Beginning November 1, 2025, certain Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants will be required to document that they are working at least 20 hours per week (80 hours per month) to continue receiving benefits. Individuals who do not meet this requirement may only be allowed to receive SNAP benefits for three months within a three-year period, unless they qualify for an exemption.
Who is Affected?
In addition to adults aged 18 – 54 who were already subject to SNAP work requirements, the following groups will now be required to comply to maintain benefits:
- Adults aged 55 – 64
- Parents or caregivers of children aged 14 or older
- Veterans
- Adults experiencing homelessness
- Youth aged 18 – 24 who are aging out of foster care
To avoid the three-month time limit, individuals will have to work, participate in an education and training program, or engage in volunteer work for a non-profit or government entity at least 20 hours a week (80 hours a month).
If you are currently receiving SNAP benefits, no immediate action is required. The Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) will screen you for the new work requirements at your next recertification.
Additional Exemptions:
Some individuals listed above may still qualify for an exemption from the work requirements if they meet one of the following criteria:
- Unable to work due to a physical or mental health condition
- Currently pregnant
- Live in a SNAP household that includes a child under the age of 14
- Identify as Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, or Alaskan Native
- Under the age of 18 or over the age of 65
If any of these exemptions apply to you, be sure to let your caseworker know during your next certification interview.
If you have questions or need help understanding how to document your work hours, please contact us – we are here to help!
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER I APPLY?
When your application has been submitted, Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has 30 days to make a determination about your SNAP application. They will contact you to conduct an interview. If you are denied, you are always welcome to re-apply.
HOW TO CONNECT?
Application and technical assistance is available at the Houston Food Bank (535 Portwall Street).
You can call 832-369-9390 to speak with a Community Assistance Program representative.
Our visit one of our Community Assistance Program Service Locations.
Estimate Your Snap Benefits*
Download our SNAP Benefits calculator tool to help estimate your benefit amount.
*This estimate is based solely on income and family size. Your actual benefits may be different. Only the Health and Human Services Commission can decide if you are eligible and the exact SNAP benefit amount.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- Mail: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Room 334 Alexandria, VA 22314; or
- Email: FNSCIVILRIGHTSCOMPLAINTS@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
For questions regarding our Community Assistance Program, please contact our helpline:
832-369-9390