Texas SNAP recertification is the process of renewing your food benefits when your current certification period ends. In 2026, you complete it through YourTexasBenefits.com, by calling 2-1-1 Texas, or in person at a local HHSC office. HHSC sends a renewal notice roughly 45 to 60 days before your certification period expires. You must submit a recertification form, complete a phone interview, and provide updated income and expense documents before the deadline. Most Texas households recertify every 12 months. Missing the deadline causes a gap in benefits, but Texas allows a 30-day grace period before you must start a brand-new application.
General information only, not legal or financial advice. Rules can change. Confirm requirements with HHSC at yourtexasbenefits.com before submitting.
Texas SNAP Certification Period Lengths
Your certification period determines how long your benefits last before you must recertify. The length depends on your household situation.
| Household Type | Certification Period |
|---|
| Most working households | 12 months |
| Households with an ABAWD (able-bodied adult without dependents) | 6 months |
| Elderly (60+) or disabled households with no earned income | 24 to 36 months |
| Categorically eligible households (TANF or SSI) | Aligned with the primary program |
The Texas Simplified Application Project (TSAP) applies when every household member is age 60 or older or receives disability benefits and no one has earned income. TSAP households receive a 36-month certification period and do not need to complete an interview at recertification.
ABAWD rules changed in 2025. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025, raised the ABAWD work requirement age ceiling from 54 to 64. Effective November 2025, more Texans face the 6-month recertification cycle and must demonstrate 20 hours per week of work, job training, or volunteer activity, or qualify for an exemption such as caring for a child under 14, having a disability, being pregnant, or being determined unfit for work.
Use the Benefits Navigator screener to confirm you still meet eligibility requirements before you begin recertification.
Texas SNAP Income Limits 2026
Texas uses Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility (BBCE), setting the gross income limit at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level rather than the federal standard of 130%. This makes Texas more generous than many states on the initial income test.
Gross Income Limits by Household Size (200% FPL, October 2025 to September 2026)
| Household Size | Monthly Gross Income Limit |
|---|
| 1 | $2,152 |
| 2 | $2,909 |
| 3 | $3,666 |
| 4 | $4,423 |
| 5 | $5,180 |
| 6 | $5,937 |
| 7 | $6,694 |
| 8 | $7,451 |
| Each additional person | +$757 |
Net income after deductions must fall at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level for most households. Allowable deductions include housing costs, childcare expenses, and out-of-pocket medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members.
Maximum Monthly SNAP Benefit Amounts (2026)
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Benefit |
|---|
| 1 | $298 |
| 2 | $546 |
| 3 | $785 |
| 4 | $994 |
| 5 | $1,187 |
| 6 | $1,424 |
| 7 | $1,575 |
| 8 | $1,800 |
| Each additional person | +$225 |
Your actual benefit equals the maximum allotment for your household size minus 30% of your net monthly income. A household with zero net income after deductions receives the maximum.
The 6-Step Texas SNAP Recertification Process
Whether you renew online, by phone, or by mail, the steps are the same. Online through YourTexasBenefits is fastest.
Step 1: Watch for the HHSC renewal notice (about 45 to 60 days out)
HHSC mails a renewal packet and posts an alert in your YourTexasBenefits account 45 to 60 days before your certification period ends. The notice shows your case number, renewal deadline, and the documents you need to provide. Opt into text or email alerts so you receive a push notification. If your address changed since your last application, the paper notice may not reach you, which makes keeping your portal contact information current essential.
Step 2: Complete the recertification form
Log in at yourtexasbenefits.com and click "Renew My Benefits" on your dashboard. The online form pre-fills with your current household and income information. Review each section and update anything that has changed. Alternatively, call 2-1-1 Texas (press option 2 after language selection) and request a phone renewal, or fill out paper Form H1010-R and mail it to your local HHSC office.
Step 3: Submit updated income and expense information
Report current gross income for every working adult, any new income sources (Social Security, unemployment, child support), and updated shelter expenses. Texas uses BBCE, so most households are not subject to a strict asset test. However, elderly or disabled households may still need to confirm that resources remain below the federal cap. Childcare and out-of-pocket medical costs above $35 per month for elderly or disabled members reduce countable income, so report them even if the amounts are small.
Step 4: Complete your phone interview
SNAP recertification in Texas requires an interview. HHSC calls from a 512 or 877 area code, usually within 10 to 20 days of form submission. The call takes 15 to 30 minutes. If you miss the call, contact 2-1-1 Texas immediately to reschedule. Failure to complete the interview is one of the most common reasons recertifications are denied. If a phone interview does not work for your situation, request an in-person appointment at your local HHSC office before HHSC schedules the call.
Step 5: Submit verification documents
After the interview, HHSC sends a verification checklist through your YourTexasBenefits account listing any remaining documents. You have 10 days from the request date to upload or deliver each document. Uploading PDFs or phone photos directly through the portal is faster than mailing or faxing.
Step 6: Receive a decision within 30 days
HHSC issues a decision within 30 days of receiving your completed recertification form. If approved, your Lone Star EBT card continues loading benefits on the same monthly schedule with no interruption. If denied, the notice explains the reason and gives you 90 days to request a fair hearing. If you appeal within 10 days of the denial notice, benefits continue while the appeal is pending.
Documents Required for Texas SNAP Recertification
Gather these before you start. Missing documents are the most common reason recertifications drag past the 30-day window or get denied.
| Document Category | Acceptable Examples |
|---|
| Proof of identity | State ID, driver's license, passport |
| Proof of Texas residency | Utility bill, lease, or government letter dated within 60 days |
| Proof of income | Last 30 days of pay stubs, employer letter on letterhead, benefit award letters |
| Housing costs | Current lease, rent receipt, or mortgage statement |
| Utility bills | Current electric, gas, or water bill (unlocks the Standard Utility Allowance deduction) |
| Childcare expenses | Receipts or written provider statement |
| Medical expenses | Prescriptions, copays, Medicare premiums, transportation to appointments (elderly or disabled only) |
| Child support paid | Court order and proof of payments made to a child outside the household |
You do not need every document before submitting the form. You do need to provide them within the 10-day window HHSC gives you after each verification request.
What Is Different About Texas SNAP Recertification in 2026
Several Texas-specific rules affect how recertification works compared to other states.
Simplified reporting between renewals. Texas does not require mid-period change reports for most situations. You only need to report a change within 10 days if your gross monthly income crosses 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for your household size. Otherwise, save updates for recertification.
Expanded ABAWD requirements after OBBB. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act raised the ABAWD age ceiling to 64 starting November 2025. Texas adults between age 54 and 64 who are able-bodied and have no dependents now face the 20-hour work requirement and the 6-month recertification cycle unless they qualify for an exemption.
Phone interview required. Texas still requires an interview for most SNAP recertifications. The default is a phone call, which is more accessible than in-person, but you must be reachable when HHSC calls.
30-day grace period. Texas allows recertification up to 30 days after your certification period ends without requiring a new application. Benefits do lapse for the missed month, but the case can be reopened from the existing record.
Common Reasons Texas SNAP Recertification Gets Denied
Five issues account for most denials. Each one is preventable.
Missed interview. HHSC calls once or twice and then closes the case. Answer unknown 512 or 877 calls during your renewal window. If you miss the call, contact 2-1-1 Texas the same day.
Incomplete documentation. Submitting the form without pay stubs, rent proof, or utility bills triggers a 10-day verification window. Avoid this by uploading all documents with the form.
Income above the limit. If gross income now exceeds 165% of the Federal Poverty Level, you may no longer be eligible at the gross income test. Deductions for rent, utilities, childcare, and medical costs can still reduce your net income below 100% FPL even when gross income is higher.
ABAWD work requirement not met. ABAWDs must show 20 hours per week of qualifying activity or documentation of an exemption. Bring time sheets, employer letters, training program records, or a medical letter.
Unreported mid-period income change. If your gross income crossed 130% FPL mid-period and you did not report it within 10 days, the recertification may be denied for the prior reporting violation even if your current income is fine. Always report the 130% FPL crossing when it happens.
What Happens If You Miss Your Recertification Deadline
Missed by 1 to 30 days. Benefits stop on the first day of the month after your certification period ends. File the recertification form, complete the interview, and submit documents within 30 days, and HHSC can reopen the case from your existing record. Approved benefits restart from the month you file, not retroactively.
Missed by 31 days or more. You must submit a new application at yourtexasbenefits.com. Benefits begin from the new application date if approved, and you lose any continuity of prior verifications.
Benefits cut off because of a missed interview. Call 2-1-1 Texas immediately and request a reschedule. If you call within 30 days of the certification end date, HHSC can usually reschedule without requiring a new application.
Other Ways to Recertify
By phone. Call 2-1-1 Texas or 1-877-541-7905 directly. A representative can take your information over the phone and schedule your interview.
In person. Visit your local HHSC benefits office with all required documents. Offices generally operate Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Use the HHSC office locator at hhs.texas.gov to find the nearest location.
Recertification for Seniors and People With Disabilities
Households where every member is age 60 or older or receives disability benefits and no one has earned income should ask HHSC to screen for TSAP. TSAP provides a 36-month certification period and no interview requirement at recertification. You still receive a renewal notice and need to submit updated household information, but the process is significantly lighter than standard recertification.
For a broader overview of Texas benefits including Medicaid and CHIP, visit the Texas benefits guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I need to recertify for SNAP in Texas?
Most households recertify every 12 months. Households with an ABAWD recertify every 6 months. Elderly or disabled households with no earned income can qualify for 24 to 36-month periods through TSAP.
Can I recertify before my certification period ends?
Yes. HHSC opens the recertification window 45 to 60 days before your period expires. Submitting early reduces the risk of a benefit gap.
What happens if I miss the Texas SNAP recertification deadline?
Benefits stop at the end of your certification period. Texas allows a 30-day grace period to file without starting a new application. Beyond 30 days, you must reapply from scratch and lose any missed months of benefits.
Is an interview required for Texas SNAP recertification?
Yes, for most households. The interview is conducted by phone and takes 15 to 30 minutes. TSAP households (all members elderly or disabled with no earned income) are exempt from the interview requirement.
What documents do I need for Texas SNAP recertification?
At minimum: proof of identity, proof of Texas residency, and proof of income for all household members. You may also need housing cost documentation and receipts for childcare or medical expenses.
Can I recertify Texas SNAP by phone instead of online?
Yes. Call 2-1-1 Texas or 1-877-541-7905 to complete your recertification by phone. You can also visit your local HHSC office in person.
How long does the recertification process take?
HHSC has 30 days from receiving your completed form to issue a decision. Most cases resolve faster when all documents are submitted with the initial form.
Will my benefit amount change after recertification?
Possibly. Your benefit is recalculated based on your current household size, income, and deductions. If income rose or household size decreased, the benefit may go down. If income fell or deductions increased, the benefit may go up.
How do I check the status of my Texas SNAP renewal?
Log in to your YourTexasBenefits account and view your case status. You can also call 2-1-1 Texas to speak with an HHSC representative.
What is the official YourTexasBenefits website?
The official portal is yourtexasbenefits.com, operated by Texas HHSC. Be cautious of unofficial websites with similar domain names. If in doubt, call 2-1-1 Texas for assistance.
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