Food Stamps Application in Texas

The SNAP application is available at any benefits office, or you can download the application from the Texas HHSC website. Once you fill it out, mail it to Texas HHSC headquarters, fax it to 1-877-447-2839 or turn it in at a benefits office.

You can go through the entire application process online through the Your Texas Benefits web portal. Applying online requires creating an account by answering a few questions about the types of benefits you need. You'll also:

• Provide your personal information, like your name, address, email and phone number
  
• Enter your identity data, such as date of birth and Social Security number
  
• Create a login name, password and three security questions

The SNAP application covers 18 pages. You'll have to sign and date pages one and 18. Sections that SNAP applicants must complete include:

• Your Facts: Input your basic personal information including name, address, date of birth and Social Security number
  
• Food Benefits: An applicant who answers yes to this series of four questions may be eligible for assistance by the next work day
  
• Interview Help: If you need assistance for the interview, such as transportation, you can request it here
  
• Household Persons: Document your marital status, race and citizenship status for each household member, including children. The section on children also requires the name, Social Security number and date of birth of each child's mother and father
  
• Other Facts: Provide information on anyone in the household with a disability, as well as anyone found guilty of a felony
  
• Things Anyone is Paying For or Owns: Document any vehicles, homes and other assets -- like cash, bank accounts, stocks or insurance policies -- that anyone in the household owns
  
• Money Coming Into the Home: Detail information on any sources of income
  
• Housing Costs: Disclose your monthly rent or mortgage, as well as utilities
  
• Costs to Take Care of Others: Include information on your childcare costs, as well as costs to care for a sick or disabled household member
  
• Medical Costs: Include the amount that household members over the age of 60 pay for medical expenses

Along with the application, submit the required documents to verify your identity and income. When applying in-person, through the mail or via fax, send copies of the necessary documentation. When applying online, you'll have to send copies of the documentation needed if the Texas HHSC cannot verify the information using online sources.

The documents are only necessary if they apply to someone in the household and include:

• Identity: Current driver's license or photo ID
  
• Immigration Status: Resident card and arrival/departure form
  
• Proof of Texas residence: Utility bill, driver's license, rent or mortgage receipt
  
• Proof of income: Last three pay stubs or self-employment records and most current bank account statements
  
• Medical costs: Bills, receipts or statements from medical providers
  
• Housing costs: Rent or mortgage statements
  
• Dependent care expenses: Receipts for childcare, cost to care for sick or disabled household member or child support
  
• Other benefits: Proof of veterans benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment, Social Security, pensions, loans or gifts

The processing time for your application and how soon you get benefits varies depends on how quickly you schedule and do the interview. However, you can qualify for benefits the next working day if:

• You are a migrant or seasonal farm worker
  
• The total household amount of cash, and income held in checking or savings accounts is less than $100
  
• All household incoming income equals less than $150 for that month
  
• The household's housing costs are more than the incoming income for that month.