Texas asks USDA to let SNAP benefits be used at to-go restaurants due to coronavirus
Texas officials have requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture allow SNAP recipients to use their benefits at take-out and drive-through restaurants in Texas amid the novel coronavirus’ spread.
Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Health and Human Services Commission sent a letter Tuesday requesting that the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service agency implement a statewide “Restaurant Meal Program” and streamline the application and approval process, including expediting approvals to certify new restaurants to begin accepting SNAP payments.
“This pandemic requires social distancing including schools, businesses and workplaces being shut down. As you are aware this has also created an additional need for services for those experiencing a reduction or loss in wages. Not unique to Texas is the increased demand on the local SNAP retailers’ food supply,” the letter reads.
In February, there were over 3.2 million Texans who were eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly referred to as food stamps, and more than 205,300 individuals eligible in Tarrant County alone, according to Texas Health and Human Services Commission data.
Under the Food and Nutrition Service’s rules, SNAP benefits cannot be used to buy prepared meals sold to eat in store, unless a state participates in the Restaurant Meals Program that serves people who may be elderly, disabled or homeless.
Under Abbott’s executive order issued last week, restaurants and bars are prohibited from allowing dining-in through April 3. However, Texans have been encouraged to take advantage of drive-through and curbside pickup options, and many restaurants in Fort Worth are offering discounts.
“As we continue in our efforts to combat COVID-19, the state must do everything it can to make life more manageable for citizens and ensure that Texans can provide meals for their families,” Abbott said in a statement Wednesday. “This waiver will go a long way in doing just that. I urge the federal government to quickly approve this waiver, giving Texans another food option during this public health emergency.”
In a statement Wednesday, a USDA spokesperson said Food and Nutrition Service has been reviewing states’ requests on a continual basis.
“Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is committed to providing all program flexibilities and contingencies available under the law,” a USDA spokesperson said in a statement. “This is an unprecedented situation, but we are working quickly and closely with states to best serve program participants.”
The Senate and White House reached a deal in the early hours Wednesday morning on a massive $2 trillion coronavirus spending bill that hopes to lessen the economic impact of the pandemic. But a 15% increase in SNAP funding emerged as a sticking point and the provision was taken out of the bill, according to The Hill.
Joel Berg, the CEO of Hunger Free America, a nationwide nonprofit that works to ensure all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food, said in a statement Wednesday he was livid about the provision’s omission that won’t boost the food allotment for roughly 36 million SNAP recipients nationwide.
“This omission will both increase hunger and harm grocery stores, farmers markets, and corner stores,” Berg said in a statement. “This must be fixed immediately, either by amending the Senate deal to increase SNAP and/or immediately passing a stand-alone bill that does so.”
To qualify for SNAP benefits, Texans must meet certain requirements based on their income levels and more.
For example, for a single individual to qualify, they must have an annual household income — before taxes — that is equal to or less than $16,237, with the maximum income level increasing based on household size.
Although Texas Health and Human Services offices are open, the agency has encouraged Texans to apply for benefits, such as SNAP, Medicaid, TANF and WIC online to help facilitate social distancing measures. Texans can apply or review their benefits online at: YourTexasBenefits.com
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 2:26 PM.
