What reopening the federal government looks like after the historic shutdown
Read full article: What reopening the federal government looks like after the historic shutdownThe longest government shutdown in U.S. history may be officially over, but getting everything back up and running won't happen all at once.
The timeline for SNAP benefits remains uncertain, even after Congress agrees to end the shutdown
Read full article: The timeline for SNAP benefits remains uncertain, even after Congress agrees to end the shutdownPresident Donald Trump has signed a measure to reopen the government and resume full food aid benefits that were paused at the start of November.
Small grocers and convenience stores feel an impact as customers go without SNAP benefits
Read full article: Small grocers and convenience stores feel an impact as customers go without SNAP benefitsSome small grocery stores and neighborhood convenience stores are eager for the U.S. government shutdown to end and for their customers to start receiving federal food aid again.
College students, stressed about federal food aid uncertainty, look to campuses for support
Read full article: College students, stressed about federal food aid uncertainty, look to campuses for supportU.S. college students who receive federal food aid are looking to their campuses for support because the program known as SNAP is in limbo during the government shutdown.
Democrats seize on Trump administration's efforts to fight food stamp payments
Read full article: Democrats seize on Trump administration's efforts to fight food stamp paymentsThe Trump administration’s legal efforts to fight having to fully fund food stamps for millions of vulnerable Americans is creating an opening for Democrats eager to use the longest government shutdown in U.S. history to paint the president as callous and out of touch.
Families on SNAP worry about not just feeding themselves but also their pets
Read full article: Families on SNAP worry about not just feeding themselves but also their petsWith SNAP benefits going out late, nonprofits are begging for pet food donations to prevent desperate owners from surrendering their dogs and cats to animal shelters.
Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid payments
Read full article: Supreme Court issues emergency order to block full SNAP food aid paymentsThe Supreme Court has granted the Trump administration’s emergency appeal to temporarily block a court order to fully fund SNAP food aid payments amid the government shutdown.
Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in November
Read full article: Federal judge orders Trump administration to fully fund SNAP benefits in NovemberA federal judge in Rhode Island has ordered the Trump administration to find the money to fully fund SNAP benefits for November.
“We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefits
Read full article: “We don’t know what we’re going to eat”: Texans are still waiting for November SNAP benefitsAlthough the federal government has said it will deposit half of November benefits, Texans are still unsure when money will land in their accounts.
KSAT Q&A: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones addresses recent staff resignations, fund raised for SNAP recipients
Read full article: KSAT Q&A: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones addresses recent staff resignations, fund raised for SNAP recipientsMayor Gina Ortiz Jones joined the KSAT Q&A on Tuesday where she discussed a fund raised for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients and addressed the recent resignations within her staff.
Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded in November
Read full article: Trump administration says SNAP will be partially funded in NovemberPresident Donald Trump’s administration says it will partially fund the SNAP food aid program in November after two federal judges required the payments to continue.
Uncertainty grows on when Texans will get SNAP benefits as U.S. Supreme Court emergency order blocks full aid
Read full article: Uncertainty grows on when Texans will get SNAP benefits as U.S. Supreme Court emergency order blocks full aidThe order will expire two days after an appeals court issues a more permanent ruling on the funding while the Trump administration will continue with partial SNAP payments.
Judges order Trump administration to use emergency reserves for SNAP payments during the shutdown
Read full article: Judges order Trump administration to use emergency reserves for SNAP payments during the shutdownTwo federal judge have ruled that the Trump administration must continue to fund the SNAP food aid program using emergency reserve funds during the government shutdown.
The Latest: Trump administration must fund SNAP payments during the shutdown, judges rule
Read full article: The Latest: Trump administration must fund SNAP payments during the shutdown, judges ruleFederal judges have ruled that the Trump administration must continue funding SNAP during the government shutdown.
Texas Democrats urge Gov. Greg Abbott to direct emergency funds to address the looming food crisis
Read full article: Texas Democrats urge Gov. Greg Abbott to direct emergency funds to address the looming food crisisDemocrats say Abbott has used his authority during COVID-19, the Uvalde shooting and border operations to free up emergency funds.
Judge considers demand to force the government to keep funding SNAP food aid despite the shutdown
Read full article: Judge considers demand to force the government to keep funding SNAP food aid despite the shutdownA federal judge in Boston is considering a motion that would require the Trump administration to continue funding the SNAP food aid program despite the government shutdown.
‘We will not turn anybody away’: West Side nonprofit welcomes SNAP recipients who need help
Read full article: ‘We will not turn anybody away’: West Side nonprofit welcomes SNAP recipients who need helpIt’s an unsettling time for 40 million Americans who won’t get their Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in a few days.
More San Antonio residents turning to church food pantries ahead of SNAP benefit pause
Read full article: More San Antonio residents turning to church food pantries ahead of SNAP benefit pauseNonprofits are already seeing an increase in requests for food assistance, and that number could grow even more as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits are paused starting Nov. 1.
KSAT Q&A: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones discusses city’s response to pause in SNAP benefits
Read full article: KSAT Q&A: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones discusses city’s response to pause in SNAP benefitsSan Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones joined KSAT’s Q&A segment on Tuesday to discuss the city’s efforts to help residents affected by the pause in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
SNAP cutoff could hurt Texas grocers and the rest of the economy, experts say
Read full article: SNAP cutoff could hurt Texas grocers and the rest of the economy, experts sayThe ongoing government shutdown means more than $600 million per month won’t go to millions of Texas SNAP beneficiaries who pump that money into the state economy.
The federal shutdown will halt November SNAP benefits. Here’s what you need to know.
Read full article: The federal shutdown will halt November SNAP benefits. Here’s what you need to know.In Texas, 3.5 million Texans — including 1.7 million children — rely on SNAP, also referred to as food stamps, each month.
Food banks are preparing for a surge as federal food aid could be paused in the government shutdown
Read full article: Food banks are preparing for a surge as federal food aid could be paused in the government shutdownFood banks and pantries are preparing for a surge in demand if federal food aid is paused this weekend from the government shutdown.
Federal food benefits and preschool aid to run dry starting Saturday if shutdown continues
Read full article: Federal food benefits and preschool aid to run dry starting Saturday if shutdown continuesFederal funds could begin running dry on Saturday that help tens of millions of Americans buy food for their families and send their toddlers to preschool if the government shutdown persists.
Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1
Read full article: Trump administration posts notice that no federal food aid will go out Nov. 1The U.S. Department of Agriculture has posted a notice on its website saying federal food aid will not go out Nov. 1 as the government shutdown drags on.
Trump administration won't tap contingency fund to keep food aid flowing, memo says
Read full article: Trump administration won't tap contingency fund to keep food aid flowing, memo saysThe Trump administration says it won't use a roughly $5 billion contingency fund to keep food aid flowing in November amid the government shutdown.
States worry about how to fill the gap in food aid ahead of a federal benefits halt
Read full article: States worry about how to fill the gap in food aid ahead of a federal benefits haltA federal food aid program that helps about one in eight Americans buy groceries stands to be paused Nov. 1 because of the government shutdown.
Federal government shutdown may delay food benefits for thousands of San Antonio families
Read full article: Federal government shutdown may delay food benefits for thousands of San Antonio familiesA potential delay in payments could be on the horizon for millions of people across the U.S. who are recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if government shutdown continues
Read full article: 3.5 million Texans will see food assistance halted if government shutdown continuesTexas officials say food stamp benefits, which go to 1.7 million children, would not be distributed in November under an extended shutdown.
Judge blocks USDA from collecting data about SNAP applicants in 21 states
Read full article: Judge blocks USDA from collecting data about SNAP applicants in 21 statesA judge has temporarily stopped the federal government from collecting personal information about residents in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, in 21 states and Washington, D.
From Fort Worth to McAllen, Texans could lose clout in Washington if GOP changes political lines
Read full article: From Fort Worth to McAllen, Texans could lose clout in Washington if GOP changes political linesThe GOP push to redraw the state’s congressional maps isn’t just a partisan move but one that deeply affects how Texans are represented in Congress.
States file lawsuit against Trump administration over efforts to collect SNAP recipients' data
Read full article: States file lawsuit against Trump administration over efforts to collect SNAP recipients' dataA coalition of state attorneys general filed a lawsuit Monday challenging the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s demand for states to turn over personal data — including names, birthdates, and home addresses — for people who are enrolled in a federally funded food assistance program.
Deadline extended for SNAP recipients in Texas to apply for food replacement benefits
Read full article: Deadline extended for SNAP recipients in Texas to apply for food replacement benefitsThe deadline for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to apply for replacement benefits for food lost or destroyed in recent catastrophic flooding has been extended, Gov. Greg Abbott announced Thursday.
What Trump's big tax law could mean for the youngest Americans
Read full article: What Trump's big tax law could mean for the youngest AmericansThe impact of the massive spending bill President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day is expected to filter down to infants and toddlers — a segment of the population that's particularly vulnerable to cuts to the federal social safety net.
Senate passes GOP’s tax and spending bill with Cornyn, Cruz priorities included
Read full article: Senate passes GOP’s tax and spending bill with Cornyn, Cruz priorities includedThe package includes $13.5 billion to reimburse states for border spending. It is expected to meet resistance in the House from some Texas Republicans.
GOP's food stamp plan is found to violate Senate rules. It's the latest setback for Trump's big bill
Read full article: GOP's food stamp plan is found to violate Senate rules. It's the latest setback for Trump's big billThe Senate parliamentarian has advised that a Republican proposal that would shift some food stamp costs from the federal government to the states would violate the chamber’s strict rules.
A look at what will happen to food assistance under Trump's big tax cut bill, by the numbers
Read full article: A look at what will happen to food assistance under Trump's big tax cut bill, by the numbersBig changes are in store for a food assistance program under President Donald Trump's tax-cut legislation.
Food aid cuts and other changes: What the U.S. House spending bill could mean for Texans
Read full article: Food aid cuts and other changes: What the U.S. House spending bill could mean for TexansMany low-income families would see cuts in health care and food benefits. The state hopes for a big reimbursement for border security spending.
Privacy and hunger groups sue over USDA attempt to collect personal data of SNAP recipients
Read full article: Privacy and hunger groups sue over USDA attempt to collect personal data of SNAP recipientsPrivacy and hunger relief groups and a handful of people receiving food assistance benefits are suing the federal government over the Trump administration’s attempts to collect the personal information of millions of U.S. residents who use the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Work requirements could transform Medicaid and food aid under US budget bill
Read full article: Work requirements could transform Medicaid and food aid under US budget billWork requirements for Medicaid recipients, food assistance cuts and other measures in the budget passed by the U.S. House of Representatives would rearrange the U.S. social safety net.
Nebraska to ban soda and energy drinks from SNAP under first USDA waiver
Read full article: Nebraska to ban soda and energy drinks from SNAP under first USDA waiverNebraska is the first state to receive a federal waiver to ban the purchase of soda and energy drinks under the food benefit program for low-income Americans long known as food stamps.
Abbott wants to stop allowing federal benefits in Texas to be spent on unhealthy, high-processed food
Read full article: Abbott wants to stop allowing federal benefits in Texas to be spent on unhealthy, high-processed foodTexas’ governor joins other Republican governors making similar requests to ban purchases of candy and soda through the SNAP program.
Funding cuts threaten to deepen hunger crisis as rising costs send more families to food banks
Read full article: Funding cuts threaten to deepen hunger crisis as rising costs send more families to food banksFood banks say income stagnation and rising living costs are increasing demand at their organizations across the country — all as the federal government shuts off funding streams that provide millions with healthier, harder-to-get groceries.
Why a Rio Grande Valley hospital is helping to feed its patients
Read full article: Why a Rio Grande Valley hospital is helping to feed its patientsAs the Edinburg facility and others seek to assist people experiencing food insecurity, state lawmakers have more than a dozen bills that could tackle Texas’ food deserts.
Trump officials want to ban junk food from SNAP. Past efforts show it's not easy to do
Read full article: Trump officials want to ban junk food from SNAP. Past efforts show it's not easy to doA push to ban sugary drinks, candy and more from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program may soon get a boost from new Trump Administration officials.
Nearly 1.7 million Texans lose Medicaid as state nears end of “unwinding”
Read full article: Nearly 1.7 million Texans lose Medicaid as state nears end of “unwinding”Texas has booted the most people from Medicaid of any state in the country. A majority of those removed lost their health insurance coverage because of procedural reasons.
“How long can we keep this up?” Food banks are under pressure from Texas’ high level of food insecurity
Read full article: “How long can we keep this up?” Food banks are under pressure from Texas’ high level of food insecurityInflation, stagnant federal funding for food programs and high housing costs mean that demand at food banks still hasn’t returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Mississippi's capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor people
Read full article: Mississippi's capital city is considering a unique plan to slash water rates for poor peopleThe manager of the long-troubled water system in Missisisppi’s capital city has proposed a slight rate increase.
‘An understaffed and broken system’: 900,000 Texans have lost Medicaid as others struggle to access SNAP benefits
Read full article: ‘An understaffed and broken system’: 900,000 Texans have lost Medicaid as others struggle to access SNAP benefitsTexas Democrats in Congress are urging the federal government to audit the state’s Medicaid eligibility system
How the looming government shutdown will affect Texans
Read full article: How the looming government shutdown will affect TexansA federal shutdown would put thousands of Texans in financial precarity. Congress has less than a week left until the end of the fiscal year on Oct. 1, and a shutdown appears imminent.
Delayed passage of farm bill stirs uncertainty for Texas agriculture
Read full article: Delayed passage of farm bill stirs uncertainty for Texas agricultureThe must-pass package of legislation known as the farm bill, which is renewed every five years, funds critical crop insurance and loans to farmers and food to low-income families.
With new federal food stamp limits coming, advocates mobilize to inform Texas recipients
Read full article: With new federal food stamp limits coming, advocates mobilize to inform Texas recipientsA requirement to work 80 hours a month, starting in September, could affect 44,000 Texans over age 49. Meanwhile, attention in Congress shifts to the farm bill’s significant impact on food stamp policy.
Texas lowers barrier for food stamps, but many still won’t qualify
Read full article: Texas lowers barrier for food stamps, but many still won’t qualifyA new state law increases what SNAP applicants’ vehicles can be worth before they’re disqualified for federal food assistance. But most states don’t take car values into consideration at all.
Debt deal imposes new work requirements for food aid and that frustrates many Democrats
Read full article: Debt deal imposes new work requirements for food aid and that frustrates many DemocratsDemocrats are deeply conflicted about the food aid requirements that President Joe Biden negotiated as part of the debt ceiling deal.
Changes to food aid in debt bill would cost money, far from savings GOP envisioned
Read full article: Changes to food aid in debt bill would cost money, far from savings GOP envisionedA Republican attempt to expand work requirements for federal food aid in debt legislation moving through Congress would increase federal spending by $2.1 billion over 10 years.
More Texans would qualify for food stamps under a bill heading to Gov. Greg Abbott
Read full article: More Texans would qualify for food stamps under a bill heading to Gov. Greg AbbottThe value of a household’s vehicles disqualified nearly 55,000 people seeking federal food assistance in 2022. House Bill 1287 increases the threshold of car values that lead to SNAP applicants being denied aid.
Texas cotton farmers leading the charge for more government insurance to cover climate, inflation challenges
Read full article: Texas cotton farmers leading the charge for more government insurance to cover climate, inflation challengesThe federal Farm Bill is must-pass legislation that Congress debates every five years. It includes billions of dollars in farm subsidies and pays for food assistance programs.
New work requirements for federal aid? GOP pushes proposals in debt talks
Read full article: New work requirements for federal aid? GOP pushes proposals in debt talksWork requirements for federal aid programs have emerged as a sticking point in ongoing negotiations over raising the nation’s debt ceiling, and President Joe Biden has signaled openness to a possible compromise even as many in his party have balked.
SNAP recipients will see a cut in food benefits starting this month.
Read full article: SNAP recipients will see a cut in food benefits starting this month.During the pandemic, Texans received extra money on their Lone Star cards through the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, also known as food stamps. That extra money ends this month.
“I love my babies. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy”: One mother’s struggle to survive in pro-life Texas
Read full article: “I love my babies. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy”: One mother’s struggle to survive in pro-life TexasPregnancy forced Destiny Williams to quit her job. She almost died during childbirth. Now with a newborn in tow, she’s struggling to build a more stable life for her and her children.
Bexar County families receiving extra food benefits set to lose millions as pandemic policy ends
Read full article: Bexar County families receiving extra food benefits set to lose millions as pandemic policy endsThousands of local families are bracing for the end of extra food stamp benefits now that the federal government is ending a pandemic-era policy that gave millions of families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program more money every month.
Lawmakers, nonprofits working to combat food insecurity among military families
Read full article: Lawmakers, nonprofits working to combat food insecurity among military familiesLow salaries for enlisted members, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ineligibility and high rates of unemployment for military spouses are some of the factors contributing to military hunger.
Mobile food market providing fresh food to those in underserved communities
Read full article: Mobile food market providing fresh food to those in underserved communitiesTaking care of your heart is very important for your health. That’s why the American Heart Association is working with San Antonio community partners and health organizations to improve the health and wellness of those in the community.
Over $300 million in SNAP benefits extended for August
Read full article: Over $300 million in SNAP benefits extended for AugustThe Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing more than $300 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of August.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LWCTLMKARFGMRFW5UZRDVXPADY.jpg)
Texas families in 66 counties will get automatic SNAP replacements for food damaged during winter storm
Read full article: Texas families in 66 counties will get automatic SNAP replacements for food damaged during winter stormSAN ANTONIO – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients in 66 Texas counties can get automatic replacement benefits for spoiled or damaged food due to power and water outages in the winter storm. Greg Abbott on Wednesday announced that the Texas Health and Human Services Commission received federal funds to automatically provide the benefits. “Thank you to our federal partners for approving these replacement benefits for Texans in need,” Abbott said in a news release. Texans who do not live in the 66 eligible counties have until March 31 to report food losses. They can request their replacement food benefits by calling 2-1-1 and pressing option 2.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/T2TWEY3IQJFYJGU4TXGY5BIWAQ.jpg)
Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden’s executive order
Read full article: Texans receiving federal food assistance could soon get more aid under Joe Biden’s executive orderPresident Joe Biden wants to increase federal aid that makes up for free and reduced-cost school meals during the pandemic and the benefits of people receiving SNAP food stamps. Texas families receiving pandemic-era federal food assistance for students who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals will soon see a 15% increase in their benefits. That additional aid is one of three food access issues President Joe Biden addressed in an executive order last week. However, SNAP benefits remain widely recognized as one of the best ways to stimulate the economy during a crisis. A recent analysis from the USDA’s Economic Research Service estimates that $1.54 in economic activity results from every federal dollar spent on SNAP benefits.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/GUN43N5PBRD3TMDKNUVA7WOXTU.jpg)
How to apply for food stamps, or SNAP benefits, in Texas
Read full article: How to apply for food stamps, or SNAP benefits, in TexasTexas – A lot of Texans are wondering how to apply for food stamps this year. The current program for food benefits in Texas is called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps. SNAP is a federal program that provides food assistance to approximately 1.4 million eligible low-income families and individuals in Texas, according to state officials. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, approximately $188 million in emergency food benefits has been provided by THHS. The THHS received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/YW5DPE6NCZEXNMMFET54XBWGPU.jpg)
Emergency SNAP benefits extended through September for Texans
Read full article: Emergency SNAP benefits extended through September for TexansTexans receiving emergency benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will continue to get their benefits through the month of September, according to Gov. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide approximately $188 million in emergency food benefits in response to the coronavirus pandemic. “This emergency SNAP extension will help Texans provide healthy food for their families.”More than 972,000 SNAP households will see the additional amount on their Lone Star Card by September 15, according to state officials. The $188 million in emergency funds is in addition to $1 billion in benefits that have been provided to Texans from April through August, officials said. Texans in need can apply for benefits, including SNAP and Medicaid, at YourTexasBenefits.com.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/06-06-2020/t_c2a83056d6584bf59a520576c01680c9_name_image.jpg)
Some Texas families may get an extra $285 per child in SNAP benefits this month. Here’s why.
Read full article: Some Texas families may get an extra $285 per child in SNAP benefits this month. Here’s why.Families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or whose children receive free or reduced meals at school may be receiving an extra $285 this month per child. "The benefit is for families that are currently receiving SNAP benefits. But it's also been extended to any families that receive free and reduced-price meals within their school district," said Deborah Rice, assistant director of child nutrition at South San Antonio Independent School District. Abbott extends emergency SNAP benefits due to COVID-19 pandemicFamilies with children ages 5 to 18 years old that received SNAP benefits in March will automatically receive $285 per child in their Lone Stone Cards account. Families should check with their child's school district website for a link on how to apply for the P-EBT program.
:strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-gmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/DNFRI3ICKZGTVLLKO6YCSMLY3I.jpg)
Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefits
Read full article: Texas Health and Human Services to provide more than $168M in emergency SNAP food benefitsAUSTIN, Texas – Texas Health and Human Services will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to help people in the state during the COVID-19 response, Gov. HHS got federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum allowable number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, according to a news release. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is included. “SNAP, commonly referred to as the food stamp program, supplements the budget of the working poor. "The additional food subsidy announced today by Governor Abbott, although still supplemental, will help fill a portion of the financial gap created by the economic crisis resulting from this pandemic.