YourTexasBenefits.com is the official Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) portal for applying to Medicaid, SNAP food benefits, CHIP, and TANF cash assistance using one combined application. Most applicants finish the online form in 30 to 45 minutes, then use the same account to upload documents, check case status, and renew benefits later. This guide walks through account creation, the application itself, income limits for 2026, and what happens after you submit.
What Is YourTexasBenefits.com
YourTexasBenefits.com is run by HHSC, the state agency that administers public assistance in Texas. It replaced the older paper-based system so households can apply, manage, and renew benefits from a phone, tablet, or computer. The portal covers:
- Medicaid (including STAR, STAR+PLUS, and STAR Kids managed care programs)
- CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)
- SNAP (food benefits, formerly food stamps)
- TANF (cash assistance for families with children)
One application on the portal is screened against all four programs at once. You do not need to file separate forms for Medicaid and SNAP, or for Medicaid and CHIP. HHSC's system checks your household's income and situation against every program automatically and tells you what you qualify for.
Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, so adults without dependent children generally do not qualify for Medicaid no matter how low their income is. If that applies to your household, the portal will likely point you toward the ACA marketplace at healthcare.gov instead. More detail on how this coverage gap works is on our Texas benefits page.
Before You Start: What You'll Need
Applying online goes faster if you gather this information first:
- Social Security numbers and birth dates for everyone in the household
- Proof of citizenship or immigration status for anyone applying for benefits
- Pay stubs or income documentation for the last 30 days (or a recent tax return if self-employed)
- Rent or mortgage amount, plus utility costs, if you want them counted toward SNAP deductions
- Bank account information if you want benefits to load onto an EBT card or bank account
- An active email address and phone number
You do not need every document in hand to start. The application saves your progress, and HHSC will request specific paperwork after you submit if something is missing.
Step-by-Step: Creating a YourTexasBenefits Account
- Go to YourTexasBenefits.com and select "Create a new account."
- Choose a username (minimum 6 characters) and a password (minimum 4 characters, though a longer password is safer).
- Enter your email address and phone number. These are used for status alerts and password recovery.
- Set up security questions in case you need to recover your account later.
- Confirm your account through the verification email or code sent to your phone.
Creating an account before you apply lets you save the application partway through, come back later, and get text or email alerts when your case status changes. You can technically apply as a guest without an account, but you will not be able to check status or upload documents afterward without one, so most applicants create an account first.
Step-by-Step: Completing the Combined Application
- Log in and select "Apply for Benefits." Choose which programs you want to be screened for. If you are unsure, select all of them (Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, TANF) and let the system sort out eligibility.
- Enter household information. List everyone who lives with you and shares meals or finances, even if not everyone is applying for benefits.
- Enter income and resources. Report wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment, child support, and any other recurring money coming into the household. Include vehicle values and bank account balances if requested.
- Report expenses. Rent, mortgage, utilities, childcare costs, and medical expenses for elderly or disabled household members can reduce your countable income for SNAP.
- Answer program-specific questions. These cover pregnancy, disability status, veteran status, and whether anyone in the household already receives Medicare or other insurance.
- Review and submit. The portal shows a summary before you submit. Print or save a copy of the confirmation page for your records.
- Complete the interview if required. SNAP applications typically require a phone interview with an HHSC eligibility worker. Medicaid usually does not require an interview unless the case is complicated.
After submission, HHSC may request additional documents. You can upload these directly through the portal instead of mailing or faxing paperwork.
Texas Medicaid and CHIP Income Limits 2026
Income limits vary by age and household situation. These are approximate monthly limits for a family of four; HHSC's system runs the exact calculation for your household size.
| Category | Approx. Income Limit (% FPL) | Monthly Limit, Family of 4 |
|---|
| Children (infants) | Up to approximately 198% FPL | Approximately $5,300/month |
| Children (ages 6-18, Medicaid) | Up to approximately 138% FPL | Approximately $3,697/month |
| CHIP (children, higher income) | Up to approximately 185-201% FPL | Approximately $4,957/month |
| Pregnant women | Up to approximately 198% FPL | Approximately $5,300/month |
| Parents/caretaker relatives | Very low, roughly 12-17% FPL | Approximately $400-600/month |
| Adults without dependent children | Not eligible for Medicaid (no expansion) | N/A, check ACA marketplace instead |
Because Texas has not expanded Medicaid, the parent income limit is unusually low compared to expansion states, and childless adults are not eligible for Medicaid at any income level. Elderly and disabled Texans applying through Medicaid for the Elderly and People with Disabilities (MEPD) pathway, or nursing home Medicaid, use different, separate income and asset tests tied to SSI limits, which the portal also screens for.
Texas SNAP Income Limits 2026
SNAP uses two income tests. Most households must pass both the gross income test (165% of the federal poverty level under Texas's expanded eligibility rules) and the net income test (100% FPL, calculated after deductions).
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Limit (165% FPL) | Net Monthly Limit (100% FPL) |
|---|
| 1 | $2,152 | $1,304 |
| 2 | $2,909 | $1,763 |
| 3 | $3,665 | $2,221 |
| 4 | $4,420 | $2,679 |
| 5 | $5,177 | $3,138 |
| 6 | $5,933 | $3,596 |
Households with a member who is 60 or older or has a disability are only subject to the net income test, not the gross test. Texas does not apply an asset limit to most SNAP households because of broad-based categorical eligibility, though households that already receive Medicaid, TANF, or SSI are automatically considered eligible for SNAP's non-financial requirements.
After You Apply: Documents, Interviews, and Status Checks
Once your application is submitted, the portal dashboard becomes your main tool for managing the case. From your account you can:
- See whether your case is pending, approved, or denied
- View a list of any documents HHSC still needs from you
- Upload documents directly by photo or file, without mailing anything
- Report changes in income, address, or household size
- Message HHSC or check for scheduled interview appointments
If you opted into electronic communication during account setup, you will get a text or email whenever your case status changes or new documents are requested. This is the fastest way to catch a request before a deadline passes.
How Long Does Processing Take
- SNAP: HHSC has up to 30 days to process a standard application. Households with very low income and few resources may qualify for expedited SNAP, processed within 7 days.
- Medicaid and CHIP: HHSC generally has up to 45 days to process most Medicaid applications, and up to 90 days if a disability determination is required. Pregnant women and children's applications are often processed faster.
- TANF: Typically processed within 45 days as well.
Missing an interview or failing to submit a requested document by the deadline is the most common reason applications are delayed or denied, so checking the portal dashboard regularly matters as much as filling out the initial form correctly.
Using the Your Texas Benefits Mobile App
HHSC offers a free mobile app, "Your Texas Benefits," for iOS and Android. It mirrors most portal functions: checking case status, uploading documents, reporting changes, and starting a renewal. For households without reliable home internet, the app is often the easiest way to respond quickly when HHSC requests something, since photos of documents can be uploaded directly from a phone camera.
Renewing Benefits Online
Both Medicaid and SNAP require periodic renewal, typically every 6 to 12 months depending on the program and household situation. To renew through the portal:
- Log in to YourTexasBenefits.com and select "Manage My Account."
- Find the case marked "Ready for renewal" and click "Details."
- Click "Renew Benefits" and update any information that has changed since your last application.
- Submit and upload any newly requested documents.
Renewal notices are typically sent 60 days before benefits are set to end. Renewing before the deadline avoids a gap in coverage or benefits.
Common Portal Problems and Fixes
- Forgotten username or password: Use the "Forgot Username" or "Forgot Password" links on the login page. You will need to answer your security questions or verify through email/phone.
- Application won't submit: Usually caused by an incomplete required field. Scroll back through each section; the portal flags missing fields in red before final submission.
- Document upload fails: Check the file size and format. The portal generally accepts JPG, PNG, and PDF files under a certain size limit; a phone photo taken in good lighting usually works better than a scanned document that is too large.
- No update on case status for weeks: Call 2-1-1 Texas (select the benefits option after choosing a language) or the HHSC benefits line for a manual status check, since portal updates can lag behind actual processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is YourTexasBenefits.com the same as applying for SNAP and Medicaid separately?
No. It is a single combined application. When you apply, HHSC screens your household against Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, and TANF at the same time, so you generally do not need to file separate applications for each program.
Do I need an account to apply, or can I apply as a guest?
You can start an application as a guest, but creating an account first is strongly recommended. Without an account, you cannot log back in to check status, upload documents, or get text and email alerts about your case.
How long does it take to hear back after applying?
SNAP applications are typically processed within 30 days, or 7 days if you qualify for expedited service. Medicaid and CHIP applications typically take up to 45 days, and up to 90 days if a disability determination is involved.
What if my income is too high for Medicaid but I still need health coverage?
Since Texas has not expanded Medicaid, adults without dependent children are not eligible for Medicaid regardless of income. In that situation, the ACA marketplace at healthcare.gov is the next place to check for subsidized coverage, and children in the household may still qualify for CHIP even if the parents do not qualify for Medicaid.
Can I upload documents from my phone instead of mailing them?
Yes. Both the YourTexasBenefits.com website and the Your Texas Benefits mobile app let you upload documents by taking a photo or selecting a file, which is faster than mailing or faxing paperwork to HHSC.
What happens if I miss my SNAP interview?
Missing a scheduled interview is one of the most common reasons SNAP applications are denied or delayed. If you miss it, call HHSC or check the portal immediately to reschedule rather than waiting for a new notice.
Does Texas have an asset limit for SNAP or Medicaid?
Most SNAP households in Texas are not subject to an asset test because of broad-based categorical eligibility. Medicaid pathways for the elderly, blind, or disabled, including nursing home Medicaid, do use asset limits tied to SSI resource rules, generally $2,000 for an individual.
