SAN ANTONIO – Families in San Antonio and across Texas are facing mounting challenges as cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) have begun to take a toll. Enacted as part of last year’s federal spending bill, often referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” these changes have left many families without a vital source of nutritional support.
According to public data, more than 15% of SNAP recipients in Texas lost their benefits last year. Feeding Texas, an organization that advocates for food banks throughout the state, attributed this decline to the introduction of new eligibility rules and work requirements under House Resolution 1. As a result, local food banks are experiencing unprecedented demand.
Eric Cooper, CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank, highlighted the impact of these policy changes, stating, “I’m anxious because I know with these policy changes, my line got longer.” With families turning to food banks for support, the need for assistance has surged dramatically.
Cooper emphasized the critical role SNAP plays in food security: “For every meal provided by the food bank, the SNAP program is able to provide nine.” He expressed concern that a 10% cut to SNAP would require the food bank to double in size to meet the increased demand, a feat that is simply unattainable.
Traditionally, Texas has enforced work requirements for SNAP benefits. However, the recent legislation has eliminated waivers for certain vulnerable populations, including adults over 60, parents of older children, and veterans. Cooper noted, “We’re a big military city. Some of those waivers were specifically for veterans, people that suffered from PTSD or had mental health challenges. Those waivers went away.”
Disturbingly, Feeding Texas reported that more than half of the individuals who lost their benefits were children. Cooper warned, “There are kids that aren’t going to get good nutrition, and there’ll be a healthcare cost to that.” This situation underscores the immediate need for solutions to ensure that no child goes hungry.
Weeding out ‘fraud’
Supporters of the SNAP benefit cuts often cite fraud as a reason for tightening eligibility. However, Feeding Texas has pointed out that less than one-tenth of a percent of state benefits are issued fraudulently. “Fraud is generally, I think, overstated in SNAP,” remarked Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas.
Instead, the more pressing issue appears to be payment errors, with reports indicating that nine percent of SNAP payments in Texas were inaccurate last financial year. This discrepancy has prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to impose stricter requirements, mandating that Texas reduce its payment error rate below 6% within the next fiscal year or face significant penalties.
Cole emphasized the need for fairness, advocating for Congress to provide Texas with a two-year extension to meet the new error rate standard, similar to concessions granted to other states facing higher error rates. “What we’re pushing Congress to do is create a level playing field for all states,” she stated.
How to receive SNAP benefits
In response to the increasing need for assistance, the San Antonio Food Bank is stepping up to provide support beyond just food. Individuals interested in applying for SNAP benefits can receive assistance by calling 210-431-8326 or visiting the food bank’s office located at 5200 Historic Old Highway 90.
Additionally, if you know someone who could benefit from this support, you can initiate an e-referral on their behalf. A member of the San Antonio Food Bank will reach out within 24-48 hours to assist with the application process, ensuring that those in need receive the help they deserve.
