If your family gets SNAP in Texas — the program most people still call food stamps — your October money is already on its way. Texas spreads payments across the whole month, so your neighbor’s deposit date probably isn’t yours. Here’s how to find your exact date, what’s changing about benefit amounts this month, and how to apply if you’re not signed up yet. Applying is always free.
When will my October 2026 SNAP payment arrive?
Texas loads benefits onto your Lone Star Card based on the last two digits of your EDG number (Eligibility Determination Group). You’ll find it on any official SNAP letter from Texas Health and Human Services. Match those two digits to this schedule:
| EDG ends in | Deposits |
|---|---|
| 00–03 | October 1 |
| 04–06 | October 2 |
| 07–10 | October 3 |
| 11–13 | October 4 |
| 14–17 | October 5 |
| 18–20 | October 6 |
| 21–24 | October 7 |
| 25–27 | October 8 |
| 28–31 | October 9 |
| 32–34 | October 10 |
| 35–38 | October 11 |
| 39–41 | October 12 |
| 42–45 | October 13 |
| 46–49 | October 14 |
| 50–53 | October 15 |
| 54–57 | October 16 |
| 58–60 | October 17 |
| 61–64 | October 18 |
| 65–67 | October 19 |
| 68–71 | October 20 |
| 72–74 | October 21 |
| 75–78 | October 22 |
| 79–81 | October 23 |
| 82–85 | October 24 |
| 86–88 | October 25 |
| 89–92 | October 26 |
| 93–95 | October 27 |
| 96–99 | October 28 |
Many Texans see the money show up the night before their scheduled date, so it’s worth checking your balance that evening.
New benefit amounts start October 1
October 1 kicked off the new federal fiscal year, and with it came the annual cost-of-living bump. Here are the new maximum monthly amounts — most households get less than the max, since your actual benefit depends on income, household size, and deductions:
| Household size | New max (Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| 1 | $306 |
| 2 | $562 |
| 3 | $808 |
| 4 | $1,023 |
| 5 | $1,217 |
| 6 | $1,463 |
The minimum monthly benefit for one- and two-person households is now $25. Income limits and deductions moved up too, which means a few families who didn’t qualify before might qualify now — it’s worth checking.
How much more is it, exactly?
The October COLA works out to about a 2.9% increase: $8 more a month for a single person, $16 for a household of two, $23 for a family of three, and $29 for a family of four. It affects roughly 37 million SNAP recipients nationwide — including more than 3.1 million Texans, about 1.5 million of them children. The average Texas household gets close to $400 a month in food benefits.
What Texas is paying for SNAP — and what it means for you
A new federal law (H.R. 1) changed who pays to run SNAP: starting October 1, Texas covers 75% of administrative costs instead of splitting them 50/50 with the federal government — about $117 million a year more for the state.
A bigger bill could arrive October 1, 2027. For the first time, states with high SNAP “error rates” will have to pay a share of actual food benefits — 5%, 10%, or 15%. Texas’s error rate was 9.34% in fiscal year 2025 (below the national average of 10.62%, but above the 6% cutoff), which would put the state on the hook for about 10% of benefit costs — roughly $708 million a year, or about $826 million combined with the admin shift. Most of these “errors” are paperwork mistakes, not fraud: about 64% came from state agency processing errors, and the rate counts underpayments too.
What does this mean for your family? Right now, your benefits are NOT being cut — the October 1 change raises them slightly. Three things you can do: keep your case information updated with Texas Health and Human Services (unreported changes are a common reason for errors and overpayment notices); if you’re struggling with groceries and not on SNAP, check whether you qualify; and watch for HHSC notices about recertification or verification — respond quickly so your benefits don’t get interrupted.
One more Texas rule to know: since April 1, 2026, you can no longer buy candy or sweetened drinks with your Lone Star Card.
How to check your Lone Star Card balance
- The Your Texas Benefits app (fastest)
- YourTexasBenefits.com
- The number on the back of your Lone Star Card
How to apply for SNAP free in San Antonio
Applying costs nothing. You can apply online at YourTexasBenefits.com, call 2-1-1 and choose the SNAP option, or visit a local HHSC office in person. You’ll need ID, proof of income, and rent or utility bills. Most people get a decision within 30 days — faster if your situation is urgent.
If the paperwork feels like a lot, that’s exactly what our free Apply for Me program is for — we walk you through it and match you with every program you qualify for, not just SNAP.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to reapply to get the October increase?
No. If you’re already approved, the new amounts apply automatically to your October deposit.
Why does my friend get paid on a different day?
Because deposit dates follow the EDG number, not the calendar. Two households approved the same week can land two weeks apart.
Can I use SNAP at H-E-B and other San Antonio stores?
Yes — your Lone Star Card works like a debit card at any approved grocery retailer, including H-E-B, Walmart, and most neighborhood stores and farmers markets.
What if my card never got loaded?
Check your balance first, then call the number on the back of the card. If it still looks wrong, contact HHSC through YourTexasBenefits.com — and keep your EDG number handy.
Will my SNAP benefits go down on October 1?
No. Benefits go up slightly because of the cost-of-living adjustment. No benefit cuts take effect October 1.
Is Texas cutting SNAP?
Not currently. But new federal rules will cost Texas an estimated $826 million a year starting in 2027, which puts pressure on the state budget.
What is the SNAP error rate?
It measures how accurately the state determines who qualifies and for how much — counting both overpayments and underpayments. Texas’s rate was 9.34% in fiscal year 2025, mostly from agency paperwork mistakes rather than fraud.
Get matched with free programs in San Antonio. Our Apply for Me program is free — tell us your situation once and we’ll match you with SNAP, utility help, free phones, and more, then send you a personal guide. Apply for Me →
