At the beginning of every month, millions of families across the United States wait for a fresh round of support through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. This program helps low-income households buy food and meet daily needs. Now, as May begins, SNAP recipients are getting ready to receive their payments—some may get as much as $1,756.
Let’s break down what this means, especially for residents in Texas, one of the states with the largest number of SNAP users.
What Is SNAP and Who Gets It?
SNAP is a government program that helps people with low income afford food. More than 42 million Americans benefit from SNAP every month. That’s about 12.6% of the total US population. The program is managed at the state level but funded by the federal government.
In Texas, over 3.4 million households depend on SNAP. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) handles the payments and eligibility in the state.
SNAP Payment Schedule in Texas (May 1–10)
SNAP benefits in Texas are not given all at once. Instead, they are distributed throughout the month based on each family’s case details, especially the EDG (Eligibility Determination Group) number.
Here’s how the first ten days of May will look for those certified before June 1, 2020:
Payment Dates by EDG Number Ending:
May 1 – EDG ends in 0
May 3 – EDG ends in 1
May 5 – EDG ends in 2
May 6 – EDG ends in 3
May 7 – EDG ends in 4
May 9 – EDG ends in 5
If your EDG number ends in 6, 7, 8, or 9, your payment will likely come after May 10.
For those who got certified after June 1, 2020, their SNAP payments are given between the 16th and 28th of the month, depending on the last two digits of their EDG number.
SNAP Maximum Benefit Amounts in 2025
The maximum amount of SNAP benefits you can get depends on the number of people in your household. For fiscal year 2025, which began on October 1, 2024, here are the new limits:
1 person: $292
2 people: $536
3 people: $768
4 people: $975
5 people: $1,158
6 people: $1,390
7 people: $1,536
8 people: $1,756
Each extra person: +$220
These amounts help cover basic food needs, and they are adjusted every year based on rising living costs.
Income Requirements to Qualify
To get the maximum SNAP benefit, your household income must be at or below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). These limits depend on the number of people in the family.
Here are the monthly income limits for maximum benefits:
1 person: $20,345
4 people (average family): $39,795
8 people: $64,395
Each additional person: +$6,150
For residents in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam, the income and benefit levels are slightly different because the cost of living is higher in these areas. If you live in any of these locations, check your local guidelines for exact numbers.
As May begins, it’s important for SNAP recipients in Texas and across the US to check their payment dates and know how much they can expect. If your EDG number ends in 0 through 5 and you were certified before June 2020, your SNAP payment will arrive between May 1 and May 9. Others will receive their payments later in the month.
The SNAP program plays a big role in helping families meet their basic food needs, especially during tough economic times. If you think you may qualify or need help, visit your state’s SNAP website or call your local office to get started.
