Many of the recipients of SNAP benefits payments in Texas have been facing problems as they wait for their benefits to come through.

According to KXAN, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the agency overseeing the SNAP benefits payments in the state, noted that there was an increase in applications and staffing shortages, making the backlogs even more challenging.

Some state employees said they are "working diligently" to get the applications for SNAP benefits in Texas as soon as possible. The workers told KXAN there had been no pay increases for those who have worked with the state of Texas for years.

An employee, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fear of losing a job, said they have to go to pantries or food banks "to put some kind of meal on our own meals" at the end of the month.

The employee added that the cost of living in Texas is rising right now, and the state is not even considering giving them a raise or merit to help their employees.

HHSC said it has been increasing staffing and retaining employees so the SNAP applications could be processed immediately.

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SNAP Benefits Update

In a press release, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Friday that the Texas HHSC is distributing more than $344.9 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits for September.

The emergency allotments are expected to help about 1.6 million Texas households. The emergency allotments for September are on top of more than $7.9 billion in benefits previously provided to Texans since April 2020.

All SNAP households are set to receive a minimum of $95 in emergency allotments, and the additional emergency allotment should be deposited into beneficiaries' accounts by September 30.

Texas HHS Access and Eligibility Services Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter said they are proud to continue Texas families in keeping their respective households with healthy and nutritious meals.

SNAP Benefits Texas

State officials acknowledged that the Texas HHSC is understaffed and is trying to meet the increasing demand for food assistance.

Texas had 198,025 SNAP pending applications for processing as of August 29. Officials noted that most of those requests were getting a determination within 30 days, according to WFAA. 

In June, the federal government allowed Texas to extend SNAP benefits for six more months to anyone who is already in the program and is trying to renew in July or August.

A North Texas single mom was reportedly experiencing food insecurity, saying her six months of benefits were running out.

She applied to renew her benefits for another six months in May. However, she noted that she was still waiting to hear back from the state officials around two months after that.

Meanwhile, the HHSC launched Grab and Go market to help struggling state employees, which aims to offset the rising cost of groceries.

The state noted that its staff had visited the pantry 1,755 times since it opened last May.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: SNAP Food Benefits Delayed For Some Texas Families - From KXXAN