End of SNAP & Medicaid Benefits to Blindside Texans Everywhere
Texas – February 2023 becomes the last month for increased COVID SNAP benefits. Many families have been receiving the maximum SNAP allotment for their household size regardless of income/deductions and have been receiving two deposits of SNAP a month (one regular SNAP and one COVID SNAP). However, all households will receive notice in a yellow envelope that these added benefits will end at the start of March 2023. There is no appeal of the COVID SNAP termination.
Additionally, there will be an end of continuous Medicaid coverage on March 31, 2023. Adults and children will have to re-establish eligibility. There will be no extra days for appeals in Medicaid cases. All recipients will only have 60 days to appeal Medicaid Managed Care decisions.
TRLA Attorney Bernadette Segura speaks on the grim reality people will face as Texas joins other states in moving to end COVID SNAP benefits. “Imagine not having enough food to keep your family alive and well. Some parents will have to worry about what their children will eat on the weekends as they begin to rely wholly on school lunch programs. Rent, utilities, and numerous bills still need to be paid, leaving families with nothing left for groceries. Without COVID SNAP benefits, countless will find themselves going hungry or needing to rely on local food pantries.”
Attorney Segura works on TRLA’s Public Benefits Team. She and the team are working tirelessly to get the information out to over three million Texans whose lives will be unexpectedly impacted. We urge the public to UPDATE all information with TxHHSC. Be sure that a correct mailing address, household size, income, and expense record is provided. COVID SNAP reductions are not appealable, but Medicaid changes are. We encourage Texans to pay attention to all mail from TxHHSC.
Call 211 or log onto yourtexasbenefits.com for more information. Help us spread the word by posting this printable flier at your public business or organization.
“Imagine not having enough food to keep your family alive and well...without COVID SNAP benefits, countless will find themselves going hungry or needing to rely on local food pantries.” ”
Contact: Julia Fourt, Public Relations Manager - Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, jfourt@trla.org