An official State of Texas website.
Revision 22-2; Effective April 1, 2022
SNAP
A person who loses eligibility due to the work requirement time limit may regain eligibility an unlimited number of times if the person:
- becomes exempt from the requirement; or
- begins working an average of 20 hours per week. Determine ongoing eligibility after verifying the person started working or participating in a specified work program an average of 20 hours per week in a month.
Note: The ABAWD must meet all other eligibility criteria to receive SNAP benefits.
Related Policy
After the Three Months of Time-Limited SNAP Eligibility, A-1951
A—1961 Second Time-Limited Three-Month SNAP Eligibility Period
Revision 20-3; Effective July 1, 2020
SNAP
A person who already received the three months of time-limited benefits can qualify for one additional three-month period of eligibility in the 36-month period if they are not meeting the work requirement but have worked for a specified period of time after receiving the three initial ABAWD FTL months. The person must:
- meet the 20-hour per week work requirement after the first three-month eligibility period by working at least 80 hours in a 30-day period; or
- participate in a recognized work program for at least 80 hours in a 30-day period after the first three-month eligibility period. A combination of work and participation in a specified work program also meets this requirement.
Note: The person does not have to receive SNAP benefits during the month they worked or participated in a work program for the minimum amount of hours to regain eligibility.
If HHSC prorates benefits, do not count the prorated month when determining the first month of the additional three-month period.
The person can receive the additional eligibility period once in the 36-month period. Limit the additional eligibility period to three consecutive months, even if the person returns to work or if HHSC denies SNAP for another reason during the three-month period. The additional consecutive three-month period may extend past the end of the original 36-month period if it begins during the original 36-month period.
For example: Brad Johnson's original 36-month period is September 2016 to August 2019. Brad used his initial three months in September 2016, October 2016 and April 2017. He reapplied for benefits on July 3, 2019, and met the criteria for an additional three-month period. Brad's second three-month period is August 2019, September 2019 and October 2019. Because July 2019 benefits are prorated, July is not a countable month. A new 36-month period can begin November 2019.
| If all certified members' additional three-month eligibility periods ... | then ... |
|---|---|
| expire in the same month, | set the certification period to end the last month of the three-month eligibility period. |
| do not expire in the same month, | set special reviews to deny each member effective the end of the third month of the additional eligibility period. |
Exception: ABAWDs in Texas are assigned to participate in workfare through SNAP E&T. When notification is received from TWC that the ABAWD met work requirements by participating in SNAP E&T in the first month of the second three-month segment, remove the second three-month segment. If the ABAWD begins participating in SNAP E&T in the second or third month of the second three-month segment, the three consecutive ABAWD FTL months must remain.
Additionally, when the modification of the ABAWD FTL months results in the first countable month of the second three-month segment being removed, the second three-month segment must be adjusted to start with the first countable month in which the ABAWD does not meet the work requirements. If the first countable month of the second three-month segment is removed, the consecutive months of the second three-month segment must also be removed.
For Example: Brad used his initial three months in September 2016, October 2016 and April 2017. Brad regains eligibility and his second three-month period is August 2018, September 2018 and October 2018. In January 2019, Brad files a new application and it is discovered that he was meeting the work requirement through participating in Workfare with TWC in August 2018 and ongoing. Staff would remove August 2018 as a countable month, and by doing so, removes the second three-month segment of consecutive months.
Related Policy
Meeting the Work Requirement Through a Work Program, A-1941.2