When is SNAP going out in Texas in May 2026? Complete benefits payment schedule

There are various forms of economic aid in the United States, among them the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, popularly known as SNAP. Each month, SNAP provides financial assistance to low-income families to help them purchase eligible food.

The program, formerly known as Food Stamps, is financed through the Department of Agriculture (USDA), but the distribution of funds is administered at the state level. In the case of Texas, SNAP payments are handled by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

The funds allotted to each beneficiary are issued to an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, called a Lone Star Card in Texas, which works like a debit card and can be used at approved grocery stores and retailers.

When to expect May 2026 SNAP benefits in Texas

There are roughly 3.5 million recipients of SNAP benefits in the Lone Star State. In order to manage all of the approved payments, Texas staggers the issuance of the funds throughout each month. The date when payments will go out is based on the last digit or the last two digits of recipients’ eligibility determination group number depending on when they were certified. There are three different schedules for SNAP benefits in Texas.

Benefits that were certified after May 1, 2023, are sent between the 1^st and 28^th of each month. Benefits that were certified before May 1, 2023, “keep their existing issuance schedule based on the date benefits were initially certified, unless there is a break in benefits of at least six months and the household reapplies after May 1, 2023,” states HHSC.

Benefits certified after June 1, 2020, but before May 1, 2023, are paid out between the 16^th and 28^th of each month. Benefits certified before June 1, 2020, are sent out over 15 days, beginning on the 1st and based on the last digit in the eligibility determination group number.

You can find your eligibility determination group number on the TF0001 award letter sent to you, which also states the day of the month when you get benefits. If you are unable to find this number, you can call 800-777-7328 or 2-1-1 for assistance.

You can also log into YourTexasBenefits.com if you have questions you application or benefit amount. If you have further doubts about your Lone Star Card account the HHSC provides a frequently asked question webpage.

The schedule for Texas SNAP payments for benefits certified after May 1, 2023, is as follows:

• 00-03: 1st of each month
• 04-06: 2nd of each month
• 07-10: 3rd of each month
• 11-13: 4th of each month
• 14-17: 5th of each month
• 18-20: 6th of each month
• 21-24: 7th of each month
• 25-27: 8th of each month
• 28-31: 9th of each month
• 32-34: 10th of each month
• 35-38: 11th of each month
• 39-41: 12th of each month
• 42-45: 13th of each month
• 46-49: 14th of each month
• 50-53: 15th of each month
• 54-57: 16th of each month
• 58-60: 17th of each month
• 61-64: 18th of each month
• 65-67: 19th of each month
• 68-71: 20th of each month
• 72-74: 21st of each month
• 75-78: 22nd of each month
• 79-81: 23rd of each month
• 82-85: 24th of each month
• 86-88: 25th of each month
• 89-92: 26th of each month
• 93-95: 27th of each month
• 96-99: 28th of each month

The schedule for Texas SNAP payments for benefits certified after June 1, 2020, but before May 1, 2023, is as follows:

• 00-03 &  54-57: 16th of each month
• 04-06 & 58-60: 17th of each month
• 07-10 & 61-64: 18th of each month
• 11-13 & 65-67: 19th of each month
• 14-17 & 68-71: 20th of each month
• 18-20 & 72-74: 21st of each month
• 21-24 & 75-78: 22nd of each month
• 25-27 & 79-81: 23rd of each month
• 28-31 & 82-85: 24th of each month
• 32-34 & 86-88: 25th of each month
• 35-38 & 89-92: 26th of each month
• 39-41, 46-49 & 93-95: 27th of each month
• 42-45, 50-53 & 96-99: 28th of each month

The schedule for Texas SNAP payments for benefits certified before June 1, 2020, is as follows:

• 0: 1st of each month
• 1: 3rd of each month
• 2: 5th of each month
• 3: 6th of each month
• 4: 7th of each month
• 5: 9th of each month
• 6: 11th of each month
• 7: 12th of each month
• 8: 13th of each month
• 9: 15th of each month

Payments are typically deposited before 8:00 a.m. on the issuance date. If you need to consult your payment, you can check your account on the state’s YourTexasBenefits.com.

Maximum SNAP benefits by household size in Texas

The Maximum SNAP benefit that an eligible household can receive is based on the number of people that reside in a household. The following amounts went into effect on 1 October 2025 and will be valid through September 2026:

• 1 member: $298
• 2 members: $546
• 3 members: $785
• 4 members: $994
• 5 members: $1,183
• 6 members: $1,421
• 7 members: $1,571
• 8 members: $1,789
• Each additional member: +$218

What can you buy with an EBT card?

According to the USDA, EBT cards can be used at any location that accepts SNAP benefits to purchase household food items, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Meat, poultry, and fish
• Dairy products
• Bread and cereals
• Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages
• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household

However, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy:

• Alcoholic beverages (beer, wine, liquor)
• Tobacco products
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements
• Live animals
• Hot foods sold at the point of sale
• Non-food items (e.g., cleaning supplies, pet food, paper products).

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