HOUSTON – Now that the federal government has reopened, help is on the way for families relying on SNAP benefits but for many, that help can’t come fast enough.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says states should receive funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) within 24 hours of the government reopening. Once that happens, Texas Health and Human Services will begin distributing the funds to recipients’ Lone Star Cards.
“HHSC is actively preparing to deliver benefits to SNAP recipients as it awaits guidance from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service,” the agency said in a statement to KPRC 2 News.
That means some Texans could see benefits as early as the next few days, though the state says the exact timeline depends on federal direction. During the last round of partial payments, it took Texas roughly two days to process and distribute funds once approved.
While federal and state officials work to restore benefits, hundreds of Houston families continue to wait in long lines for food assistance. At a Target Hunger food distribution site in northeast Houston, cars stretched for blocks early Thursday morning as families lined up hours before the event began.
“It’s just hard times, very hard times,” said Alberta, a senior and longtime Houston resident who asked that her last name not be used. “Anyone that would come out here and look at this line, you’d see the need. You get in line at eight o’clock in the morning and you don’t even get to [parking lot] until eleven.”
Alberta says she lives on a small Social Security check and often shares what little she has with others in her neighborhood.“I can’t afford groceries for me and a family of five and another family of two,” she said. “I have one friend that’s actually sleeping in a truck. So, I try to help when I can. God is good.”
Sandra Wicoff, CEO of Target Hunger, says her organization has seen a 30 to 40 percent increase in demand at its food fairs and partner pantries in recent weeks.“Prices are high, checks are not coming, and there’s a lot of uncertainty,” Wicoff said. “A lot of people are calling us saying their SNAP benefits were partial or delayed. We know that’s driving some of this demand.”
At Thursday’s food fair alone, Target Hunger helped 264 families, and Wicoff expects that number to grow as more people struggle to afford groceries.
“Even with all the donations and volunteers, it’s still not enough,” Alberta said. “People are hurting.”
Target Hunger will host another food distribution Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Fifth Ward Multi-Service Center, located at 6402 Market Street, Houston, TX 77020. The event is open to anyone in need.
Those looking to help can:
- Donate: targethunger.networkforgood.com
- Host a food drive: targethunger.org/givefood
- Volunteer: targethunger.org/volunteer
- Request food assistance: targethunger.org/need-food
As the state awaits final guidance from the USDA, officials encourage Texans receiving SNAP benefits to monitor their Lone Star accounts for updates. For many like Alberta, that relief can’t come soon enough.