Texas SNAP Payment Schedule 2026: More than 3.5 million Texans rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to help pay for groceries each month, and this August brings a mix of routine deposit dates alongside several rule changes that took effect earlier in 2026 and remain in force. Here’s a complete breakdown of when Lone Star Card deposits arrive in August, how much households can expect, and what’s new with the program this year.
Cases certified on or after June 1, 2020, which now make up the majority of Texas SNAP households, follow a staggered schedule running from the 16th through the 28th of each month, based on the last two digits of the EDG number. Your EDG number can be found on any SNAP approval or renewal notice from HHSC, inside the “Case Details” section of the Your Texas Benefits online account or app, or by calling the Lone Star Card Help Desk at 800-777-7328.

How the Texas EDG Deposit System Works?
Texas doesn’t load everyone’s Lone Star Card on the same day. Instead, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) spreads deposits across the month based on a household’s Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number, the case identifier assigned when a SNAP application is approved. Which schedule applies to a household depends on when the case was first certified.
Cases certified before June 1, 2020 follow an older schedule, with benefits issued in the first half of the month (the 1st through the 15th) based on the last digit of the EDG number.
Texas SNAP Payment Schedule 2026 : Key Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Administering agency | Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) |
| Deposit window | 1st through 28th of each month |
| Deposit identifier | Last one or two digits of your EDG (Eligibility Determination Group) number |
| Cohort 1 | Cases certified before June 1, 2020 — paid in the first half of the month |
| Cohort 2 | Cases certified on or after June 1, 2020 — paid in the second half of the month |
| Deposit time | Midnight (12:01 a.m.) on your scheduled date |
| Holiday/weekend impact | None — Texas deposits load on schedule regardless of weekends or federal holidays |
| New purchase restriction | Candy and sweetened beverages banned from SNAP purchase, effective April 1, 2026 (Senate Bill 379) |
| Minimum monthly benefit (1–2 person household) | $24 |
| Fiscal year covered | October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026 |
| Card name | Lone Star Card |
| Help desk | 800-777-7328 |
August 2026 Texas SNAP Payment Calendar — Cases Certified Before June 1, 2020
- EDG number ends in 0: August 1
- EDG number ends in 1: August 3
- EDG number ends in 2: August 5
- EDG number ends in 3: August 6
- EDG number ends in 4: August 7
- EDG number ends in 5: August 9
- EDG number ends in 6: August 11
- EDG number ends in 7: August 12
- EDG number ends in 8: August 13
- EDG number ends in 9: August 15
SNAP Junk Food Ban 2026: Full State-by-State Waiver List, Court Update Aur Restricted Food List
August 2026 Texas SNAP Payment Calendar — Cases Certified On or After June 1, 2020
- EDG number ends in 00–03: August 16
- EDG number ends in 04–06: August 17
- EDG number ends in 07–10: August 18
- EDG number ends in 11–13: August 19
- EDG number ends in 14–17: August 20
- EDG number ends in 18–20: August 21
- EDG number ends in 21–24: August 22
- EDG number ends in 25–27: August 23
- EDG number ends in 28–31: August 24
- EDG number ends in 32–34: August 25
- EDG number ends in 35–38: August 26
- EDG number ends in 39–41: August 27
- EDG number ends in 42–45: August 28
- EDG number ends in 46–49: August 27
- EDG number ends in 50 and above: contact HHSC or check your online case details, since the exact cutoff can shift slightly and is best confirmed directly.
Benefits are typically loaded onto Lone Star Cards at midnight on the scheduled date, meaning funds are usually available by 12:01 a.m. Weekends and holidays generally do not shift Texas deposit dates, since the system runs on a fixed day-of-month schedule rather than a business-day schedule.
How Much Households Can Expect in August 2026?
Monthly Texas SNAP Payment amounts depend on household size, income and expenses, but for federal fiscal year 2026 the maximum monthly allotments are:
1 person: $298
2 people: $546
3 people: $770
4 people: $994, with roughly $218 added for each additional household member
The statewide average benefit is around $401 per household, though actual amounts vary significantly based on net income after deductions. These are maximums; most households receive less than the full amount depending on their financial circumstances.
New SNAP Rules Affecting Texas Households This Year
Several significant changes have taken effect in 2026 and remain active heading into August SNAP Payment:
- Expanded work requirements. Under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Texas began enforcing broadened work requirements on February 2, 2026. Able-bodied adults without dependents generally must work, train, or volunteer at least 80 hours a month (roughly 20 hours a week) to keep receiving benefits. The age range subject to this rule was raised from 54 to 64, and exemptions that previously covered parents of children under 18 now generally only apply to caregivers of children under 14. Recipients who don’t meet the requirement can typically receive benefits for only three months within a three-year period.
- Food purchase restrictions. Starting April 1, 2026, Texas became the first state approved for a federal waiver banning the purchase of candy and sweetened drinks with SNAP benefits. Restricted items include candy bars, chocolate- or caramel-coated snacks, and any water-based beverage with 5 grams or more of added sugar or any artificial sweetener. Milk-based drinks, including plant-based milk alternatives, remain eligible. The restriction affects what can be bought, not the total dollar amount of benefits, and applies at every SNAP-authorized retailer in the state.
- Continued federal funding. After a 43-day federal government shutdown disrupted Texas SNAP Payment in late 2025, the funding bill that ended the shutdown secured SNAP funding through September 2026, so no funding-related disruption to August deposits is currently expected.
Checking Your SNAP Payment or Reporting a Problem
If a SNAP Payment doesn’t appear by mid-morning on the scheduled date, HHSC recommends waiting a few hours before contacting support, since occasional short delays can occur. Balances and deposit history can be checked through the Your Texas Benefits app or website, or by calling the Lone Star Card Help Desk at 800-777-7328. Households that recently moved, changed contact information, or are due for recertification should confirm their case is current, since missing paperwork is one of the most common causes of a delayed or interrupted Texas SNAP Payment.
How the Texas EDG Number Controls Your Deposit Date?
Every Texas SNAP case is assigned an Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number when HHSC approves the application. This number stays fixed for the life of the case and appears on every official approval or renewal notice, in the “Case Details” section of the Your Texas Benefits online portal, and can be requested by phone. Once you know the relevant digit or digits of your EDG number, your monthly deposit date becomes fully predictable — it does not change from month to month unless your case is recertified under a different cohort or your EDG number itself changes.
Texas SNAP Aug 2026 Deposit Calendar by Certification Date
Texas splits its caseload into two broad certification cohorts, each following its own digit-based schedule:
| Cohort | Certification Date | Deposit Window | Digits Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort 1 | Before June 1, 2020 | 1st – 15th of the month | Last single digit of EDG number |
| Cohort 2 | On or after June 1, 2020 | 16th – 28th of the month | Last two digits of EDG number |
Within Cohort 2, the mapping is more granular — for example, a household whose EDG number ends in a specific two-digit range is consistently assigned to the same date each month. A household whose EDG number ends in 72, for instance, would see benefits load on the 21st every month, including August 2026. Because the identifier is tied to the case rather than the calendar, this same mapping carries forward from June into July without any adjustment.
Texas SNAP Maximum Benefit Amounts for Fiscal Year 2026
| Household Size | Maximum Monthly Allotment |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $298 |
| 2 people | $546 |
| 3 people | $785 |
| 4 people | $994 |
| 5 people | $1,183 |
| 6 people | $1,421 |
| 7 people | $1,571 |
| 8 people | $1,789 |
| Each additional person | +$218 |
These maximums apply for the full federal fiscal year running from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, and remain fixed through August deposit cycle. Actual household benefits are calculated by subtracting 30% of net monthly income from the maximum allotment for the household’s size, which is why most Texas households receive less than the published ceiling. Households with little or no net income receive the full maximum, while the minimum monthly benefit for a one- or two-person household is set at $24.
Texas SNAP Income Eligibility Limits (Fiscal Year 2026)
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit (165% FPL) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,152 |
| 2 people | $2,909 |
| 4 people | $4,421 |
Most Texas households must meet a gross monthly income test at or below 165% of the Federal Poverty Level. Households with a member who is elderly (age 60+) or disabled are only required to meet the net income test rather than the gross income test. Texas applies Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility, which means many households may still qualify for SNAP even if their countable assets exceed the standard resource limits.
Texas’s New SNAP Purchase Restrictions (Effective April 1, 2026)
Beginning April 1, 2026, Texas enforces new restrictions under Senate Bill 379, passed during the 89th Texas Legislature in 2025 and approved through a federal healthy-foods waiver. Under this rule, SNAP benefits can no longer be used to purchase:
- Candy bars, gum, and standard candy
- Sweetened fruit, nuts, or snacks coated in chocolate, yogurt, or caramel
- Sweetened beverages containing 5 grams or more of added sugar or any artificial sweetener per serving
Items that remain eligible for SNAP purchase include milk and milk alternatives, beverages containing more than 50% real fruit or vegetable juice, medical electrolyte drinks, and snacks such as granola bars and popcorn. This restriction remains in effect through July 2026 and applies statewide at all SNAP-authorized retailers.
Vehicle and Asset Rules for Texas SNAP Households
Texas counts the value of household vehicles when determining SNAP eligibility, though generous exemptions apply. The first vehicle in a household is exempt up to $22,500 of its fair market value, and additional vehicles carry a separate exemption of up to $8,700. Liquid assets such as cash and savings are generally limited to $5,000 for most households, though the state’s Broad-Based Categorical Eligibility policy often allows households exceeding this limit to still qualify.
How to Find Your Texas EDG Number?
- Check any SNAP approval or recertification notice mailed by HHSC — your EDG number is printed on these documents.
- Log in to your account at YourTexasBenefits.com and look under the “Case Details” section.
- Call the Lone Star Card Help Desk at 800-777-7328 and request your EDG number by phone.
- Contact your local HHSC benefits office directly for in-person assistance.
How to Check Your Texas Lone Star Card Balance?
| Method | How It Works |
|---|---|
| YourTexasBenefits.com portal | Log in to view your current SNAP balance and case details online |
| Lone Star Card Help Desk | Call 800-777-7328 for an automated balance check or live assistance |
| Third-party EBT apps | Apps that link to your Lone Star Card can show real-time balance and recent transactions |
If your card shows no deposit by mid-morning on your scheduled date, HHSC recommends waiting until later in the day before contacting the agency, since deposits are typically processed by 12:01 a.m. but can occasionally take a few additional hours to reflect on the card.
SNAP Payment – Official Source Links
| Purpose | Official Resource |
|---|---|
| Apply for or manage your SNAP case | YourTexasBenefits.com |
| Check your EDG number or balance | Lone Star Card Help Desk — 800-777-7328 |
| State agency overview | Texas Health and Human Services Commission (hhs.texas.gov) |
| Find a local food bank | Feeding Texas network (feedingtexas.org) |
| Summer meal programs for children | SquareMeals.org (Texas Department of Agriculture) |
| Home Page | https://govtschemes.org/ |
FAQ’s :- Texas SNAP Payment Schedule
What is the Texas SNAP Payment Schedule for August 2026?
SNAP Payment are issued between August 16th to August 28, with the exact date determined by your EDG number and certification cohort.
What time do SNAP Payment benefits load onto the Lone Star Card?
SNAP Payment Benefits are typically deposited at midnight (12:01 a.m.) on your scheduled date.
What is the maximum SNAP Payment benefit for a household of four?
$994 per month for fiscal year 2026, before any income-based deductions are applied.
Is there a minimum SNAP Payment benefit amount?
Yes. The minimum monthly benefit for a one- or two-person household is $24.
What new SNAP rule started in Texas in 2026?
Effective April 1, 2026, Texas banned the use of SNAP benefits to purchase candy and sweetened beverages under Senate Bill 379.
How do I check my SNAP Payment balance?
Log in to YourTexasBenefits.com, call the Lone Star Card Help Desk at 800-777-7328, or use a linked EBT balance-checking app.
Also Read :-
Am I Exempt From SNAP Work Requirements 2026? Full ABAWD Exemption Rules & State-by-State Guide
Indiana, Nebraska, Utah & West Virginia SNAP Junk Food Rules 2026: What’s Restricted, EBT Updates & State-by-State Status
State-by-State SNAP Food Ban 2026: What’s Banned, Status Update


