AUSTIN – Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. applauded the efforts of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) in receiving approval by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide approximately $177 million in emergency food benefits to *Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients for the month of June, said the senator in a press release.
“As low-income families work to overcome the COVID-19 public health crisis, I am so thankful HHSC received the necessary approval by our federal partners to help over 900,000 SNAP households with emergency food benefits for the month of June,” said Sen. Lucio, who is a member of the Texas Senate Work Group on Food Supply Chain, Food Banks, and Agriculture. “The approximately $177 million in emergency food benefits will greatly help Texans in need have the means to buy nutritious meals for their families.”
Texans in need of help are encouraged to apply for benefits here.
*SNAP is a federal program administered by HHSC in Texas, which helps approximately 1.4 million eligible low-income families and individuals with much needed food benefits. USDA provided HHSC approval to extend the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. HHSC uses the Lone Star Card (EBT card) to distribute SNAP benefits that allows recipients to use the Lone Star Card like a credit card at grocery stores and other stores that accept SNAP. By June 12, more than 900,000 SNAP households will receive the emergency SNAP food benefits through their Lone Star Card.