As May begins, millions of Americans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, commonly known as food stamps, are watching closely for their next payment. Nationwide, more than 42 million people—about 12.6% of the U.S. population—depend on SNAP to help meet their basic food needs.

In Texas alone, over 3.4 million households rely on SNAP. The program is administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and plays a vital role in supporting low-income families across the state.

Texas SNAP Payment Dates: May 1-10

SNAP benefits in Texas are distributed in stages throughout the month, depending on when a household was certified and its eligibility determination group (EDG) number.

For households certified before June 1, 2020, payments are issued between the 1st and 15th of the month, following this schedule for the first ten days of May:

• EDG ending in 0: May 1
• EDG ending in 1: May 3
• EDG ending in 2: May 5
• EDG ending in 3: May 6
• EDG ending in 4: May 7
• EDG ending in 5: May 9

No payments are scheduled for May 2, 4, 8, or 10 within this group.

Households certified after June 1, 2020, receive benefits between the 16th and 28th of each month, based on the last two digits of their EDG number. These payments begin later in May and are not included in the early-month schedule.

Maximum SNAP Benefit Amounts for 2025

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) annually adjusts SNAP benefits based on the cost of living. For fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025), the maximum monthly benefit amounts are:

• 1 person: $292
• 2 people: $536
• 3 people: $768
• 4 people: $975
• 5 people: $1,158
• 6 people: $1,390
• 7 people: $1,536
• 8 people: $1,756
• Additional household members: +$220 each

Income Limits for Eligibility

To receive the maximum benefit, households must have a gross monthly income at or below 130% of the federal poverty level (FPL), adjusted for family size. For 2025, these limits are:

• 1 person: $20,345
• 4 people: $39,795
• 8 people: $64,395

Each additional household member raises the limit by about $6,150.

Residents in Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam should check their local SNAP offices, as those areas have different maximum benefit amounts and income thresholds due to higher living costs.

As May unfolds, Texas SNAP recipients can now plan ahead, knowing when their vital support will arrive to help cover food costs.