Texas SNAP benefits: Applications waiting to be processed

TEXAS, USA — When you consider the phrase snap, you would possibly assume snappy, as in fast. But a painfully gradual snap is inflicting desperation and meals insecurity for a North Texas single mom of two little ladies — ages 2 and 4.  

That girl contacted WFAA just lately in regards to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The mom mentioned her six months of help was operating out, so again in May she utilized to recertify (renew) her advantages for one more six month interval. 

But practically two months after that, she says she remains to be waiting to hear again. 

The girl says she is working, however she simply can’t make ends meet.

“I either pay my bills or feed my kids,” she mentioned. 

And that is being skilled by many Texans. 

The fee says it, “Recognizes the significance of SNAP advantages and (is) working to course of circumstances as shortly as potential.” 

But state officers acknowledge that the Texas HHS fee is understaffed and is struggling to sustain with rising demand for meals help they’re seeing this 12 months.

Texas had 332,798 SNAP functions waiting to be processed as of July 18, however officers say most of these requests (74%) are getting a dedication inside 30 days.

Those are all new functions for meals help, although. The case of the mom above, and of one other girl who just lately wrote in saying her advantages lapsed after she renewed them, will not be new functions. 

The federal authorities in June gave Texas permission to lengthen SNAP advantages for six extra months to anybody who’s already in this system and is attempting to renew in July or August, so that each one these individuals wouldn’t be added into that already big state backlog. 

RELATED: Texas SNAP advantages prolonged for July. Here’s how one can apply

Those individuals are supposed to have their advantages prolonged by means of January and February of 2023, respectively. 

That mentioned, the state contends there is no such thing as a present backlog of people who find themselves renewing their SNAP advantages. When WFAA identified that that doesn’t match what individuals had been saying about attempting to renew their advantages and remaining in limbo, they despatched the next reply with choices for individuals who are on this scenario: 

“Applicants can test the standing of their software/renewal, report adjustments and supply extra information on the YourTexasAdvantages.com web site and cellular app. The web site and cellular app are accessible 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. People can contact the Office of the Ombudsman at 1-877-787-8999 if they’ve complaints or issues. 

People even have a proper to enchantment in the event that they assume the motion taken on their case is incorrect. Individuals can request an enchantment by calling 2-1-1 ( 1-877-541-7905) or by sending a letter to Texas Health and Human Services Commission, PO Box 149027, Austin, Texas 78714-9027 that features their full title, case quantity, deal with, and cellphone quantity. 

In addition, households who’re waiting on their software to be processed can contact 2-1-1 Texas Information and Referral Network (2-1-1 TIRN), Option 1 to obtain a referral to obtainable assets. 2-1-1 TIRN gives entry to state and native well being and human providers applications. Families may also entry the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Community Partner, Feeding Texas, to find native meals financial institution information.”

It is estimated that almost 4 million Texans are meals insecure, and that 20% of Texas youngsters expertise starvation. If that describes your loved ones or somebody you understand, there’s seemingly assist close to you. 

• No Kid Hungry has a meal map that plots locations with meal availability, whether or not you might be searching for breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, or dinner. You may also entry it by texting the phrase ‘FOOD’ or ‘COMIDA’ to 304304.
• To see eligibility necessities and apply for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) advantages, click here.
• The Texas program for girls, infants, and kids (WIC) is a vitamin program for pregnant, breastfeeding ladies and households with youngsters youthful than 5. Click here to apply.
• You may also find free groceries near you by clicking here and getting into your ZIP code.
• There are free meals obtainable to youngsters by means of the Texas Summer Meal Program. Here is more info.
• In North Texas, you could find a map of food pantries here.

Meanwhile, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission says it’s attempting to employees up to deal with the inflow of SNAP functions. 

“In an effort to increase staffing levels, we have implemented workforce recruitment and retention initiatives including job fairs and pay increases. In March 2022, HHSC provided performance-based one-time merit payments to eligible employees. As part of HHSC retention efforts, newly hired eligibility advisors receive equity adjustment of 3.5% at 6 months and receive a career track (promotion) at 12 months with another 3.5% increase in pay. HHSC also implemented flexible schedule options for eligibility advisors. We will continue to explore opportunities to recruit and retain qualified staff to help serve Texans.”