Texas has developed a well-structured system for distributing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to recipients. This process is designed to be efficient and smooth, with benefits being distributed based on a unique identifier known as the Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number.
If you were certified for assistance before June 1, 2020, your benefits are distributed across the first half of the month, between the 1st and the 15th.
The SNAP Payment Distribution System
The state of Texas uses ten specific dates within this window to distribute benefits. The date you receive your SNAP funds is determined by the last digit of your EDG number. Here’s the breakdown of when benefits are deposited:
SNAP Payment Schedule for September 2025 (Based on EDG Number)
EDG ends in 0: Monday, September 1
EDG ends in 1: Wednesday, September 3
EDG ends in 2: Friday, September 5
EDG ends in 3: Saturday, September 6
EDG ends in 4: Monday, September 8
EDG ends in 5: Tuesday, September 9
EDG ends in 6: Thursday, September 11
EDG ends in 7: Friday, September 12
EDG ends in 8: Saturday, September 13
EDG ends in 9: Monday, September 15
Maximum SNAP Benefits for September 2025
The amount of assistance you receive is based on the number of people in your household. Below is the maximum benefit for different household sizes:
1-person household: Up to $291 per month
2-person household: Up to $535 per month
3-person household: Up to $766 per month
4-person household: Up to $973 per month
5-person household: Up to $1,155 per month
6-person household: Up to $1,386 per month
7-person household: Up to $1,532 per month
8-person household: Up to $1,751 per month
Each additional person: Add $219 per month
What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?
The types of items you can purchase with SNAP benefits are strictly regulated by the federal government. Eligible food items primarily include groceries that you can prepare and eat at home. These include:
Fresh produce
Meat, poultry, and fish
Dairy products
Bread and cereal
Non-alcoholic snacks
Seeds and plants to grow your own food
Ineligible Purchases with SNAP
On the other hand, there are clear rules on what you cannot buy with SNAP benefits. These include:
Alcohol and tobacco products
Non-food items such as soap, shampoo, and pet food
Medicines and vitamins
Hot foods (e.g., prepared meals intended to be eaten immediately)
While you can purchase a cold rotisserie chicken, you cannot buy one that’s hot and ready to eat.
Junk Food and SNAP Benefits
The debate over whether junk food should be allowed under SNAP is ongoing. While items like soda, candy, energy drinks, and chips may not be the healthiest, they are classified as “food” or “non-alcoholic snacks” under federal guidelines.
As such, they are eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. Currently, there are no specific laws at the federal or state level banning these items, though discussions on restricting junk food continue.
Work Requirements for SNAP Eligibility
In addition to the rules about what you can buy, there are also requirements for who qualifies for SNAP assistance. For Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs), which typically includes individuals aged 18-49, there are specific work and training requirements.
These requirements may soon expand, as one proposed change suggests raising the age limit to 64.
Potential Changes to Work Requirements
If these changes are implemented, they could significantly affect Texans’ access to SNAP. Some other proposed changes include:
Restricting exemptions for parents, limiting them to those with children under 7 years old
Eliminating waivers for regions with high unemployment, meaning individuals in struggling areas would have to find work in a tough job market to maintain their benefits.
These proposals are still being debated in Washington but could dramatically alter the landscape of SNAP in Texas.
