Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing more than $318 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for April.

The allotments are seen to help more than 1.5 million Texas households, according to the press release of Office of the Texas Governor.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture gave the approval to HHSC to extend the maximum, allowing the number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, with all SNAP households receiving a minimum of $95 in emergency allotments.

The allotments for the additional emergency fund are set to appear in recipients' accounts by April 30.

Abbott said emergency SNAP benefits have played an important role in the government's effort over the past two years to ensure that every Texas resident has access to nutritious food.

The Texas governor also extended his gratitude to HHSC and USDA for helping Texan families remain safe and healthy.

Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter said that they continue to support the Texans who need a helping hand.

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SNAP Benefits Texas

SNAP benefits are provided for people who do not have a lot of money, and who meet the program's qualifications.

The benefit might be longer if the person works at least 20 hours a week or is in a job or training program.

Meanwhile, some adults do not have to work to get benefits, such as those who have a disability or are pregnant.

Those who are eligible to participate in the Texas Simplified Application Project are households in which all members are either older adults or people with disabilities, according to Health and Human Services site.

Most people ages 16 to 59 must follow work rules to get SNAP benefits. Work rules noted that a person must look for a job or be in an approved work program.

Once a person has a job, they cannot quit without a good reason.

SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy tobacco, alcoholic drinks, and buy things that cannot be eaten or drank.

It cannot be used too to pay for food bills recipients owe.

SNAP Benefits Payment Similarities to Electronic Benefits

Electronic Benefits Transfer is an electronic system that allows SNAP participants to pay for food using SNAP benefits.

SNAP authorized retail store provides an avenue for participants to shop. Their SNAP EBT account is debited to reimburse the store for food that was purchased.

EBT is in use in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam.

EBT has been the sole method of SNAP issuance in all states since June 2004. It was established by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

EBT is very similar to SNAP. However, it is for children that would have received free or reduced-price school meals, if not for COVID-related school closures and/or COVID-related reductions in school hours or attendance.

READ MORE: SNAP Benefits 2022 Schedule for California, Florida, Texas and More: When to Get Food Assistance Each Month 

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

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