The number of Texans participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has decreased by 14% over the past year, with nearly 500,000 fewer individuals receiving benefits. This decline mirrors a national trend, attributed to new work requirements and heightened immigration enforcement.
Impact of New Work Requirements
In December, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced stricter work requirements for SNAP eligibility. Now, Texas parents and household members with children aged 14 or older must work 30 hours a week or prove exemption. Additionally, able-bodied individuals aged 18 to 65 without dependents must work or attend a work program for at least 80 hours per month.
These changes have led to a significant reduction in SNAP enrollment, particularly in the Gulf Coast, North, and South Texas regions, where participation dropped between 10% and 20% in over two-thirds of counties.
Immigration Concerns Affecting Enrollment
Increased immigration enforcement under the Trump administration has also contributed to the decline. While illegal immigrants are not eligible for SNAP, their citizen children can qualify. However, fears of deportation have deterred some families from applying for benefits.
Advocates like Celia Cole from Feeding Texas highlight that mixed-status families are opting out of SNAP due to these fears, despite their eligibility.
Challenges with SNAP Administration
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has faced challenges in processing SNAP applications efficiently. The state’s Employment and Training (E&T) programs, mandatory for certain applicants, have been criticized for high sanction levels and low participation rates, further complicating access to benefits.
Additionally, Texas must reduce its SNAP error rate to avoid federal penalties, which may impact the speed of application processing.
Despite these hurdles, HHSC spokesperson Tiffany Young assures that efforts are underway to expedite benefit issuance to eligible Texans.
Original reporting: Texas Tribune (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
