As Texas continues to grapple with a backlog of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) applications, the state is set to end extra food benefits that were provided during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expiration of Pandemic-Era SNAP Benefits
The federal government had allowed states to provide extra SNAP benefits to low-income families during the public health emergency. However, these pandemic-era benefits are now set to expire, leaving many Texans facing reduced food assistance.
“The recent storms have impacted many families across the state,” said Acting Gov. Dan Patrick. “By providing these replacement food benefits, we will offer relief to those who need our help the most.”
Despite the end of the extra SNAP benefits, the state is still struggling to process a surge in applications and renewals. In March 2024, Texas processed only 61% of all applications and 59% of all renewals in a timely manner, a declining rate since September 2023.
Ongoing SNAP Application Delays
Whistleblowers in Texas have sounded the alarm on SNAP application delays since August 2023, with some applicants still waiting months to receive their food stamps. More than 136,000 low-income people in El Paso County alone are eligible for SNAP benefits.
To address the backlog, Texas has used federal funding to invest in recruitment and retention of eligibility workers. The state has also submitted a “Corrective Action Plan” to the USDA outlining problems and fixes, which includes moving 250 staff members from other projects into processing SNAP applications and sending 600 new staff to Medicaid training to quicken the process for combined SNAP and Medicaid applications.
Impact on Food Banks and Recipients
The end of extra SNAP benefits poses challenges for food banks and recipients alike. The El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank has employees who help people expedite their delayed SNAP applications, with the nonprofit receiving 10 or more people a week asking about their months-long SNAP delays in the fall of 2023.
“Maintaining the adequacy of SNAP benefits is good for everyone,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas. “Cutting future benefits would undermine SNAP’s ability to prevent hunger and make it harder for food banks to meet the needs in our communities.”
As Texas continues to navigate the end of extra SNAP benefits and ongoing application delays, it remains crucial for the state to prioritize food assistance for its most vulnerable residents.