Criteria in Texas

• In order to be eligible for food stamps in Texas you must be a United States citizen and live within the state lines of Texas. Your income to family size must fall within the DHS guidelines, for example a family of four can make no more than $2,367 per month. Each family member you are requesting assistance for must have a valid Social Security Number and no one receiving services can have a past conviction of a felony drug offense. Other criteria include not having quit a job within the three months prior to your application and not owning a vehicle worth over $2,000. Owning property other than your primary residence will also disqualify you from eligibility.
  
  

What You Need For Proof

• You must provide proof of eligibility to the DHS office. If you are employed, you must provide between two and three paycheck stubs. Without paycheck stubs the DHS office will provide a form that your employer must complete. For food stamp applicants that have lost employment during the three months prior to their application, a separate form from your past employer must be completed by that employer. You will also need to provide a picture identification card, Social Security card or letter from the Social Security office and bank statements from any account your name is on. Proof of housing expenses include your lease or copy of mortgage payments, utility bills, homeowner's insurance bill and home telephone bill.
  
  

Who Determines Your Eligibility

• Your eligibility is determined by a state-employed case worker. The caseworker will review your application and go over your proof of eligibility paperwork you provide. Each time you re-certify you will have the same caseworker, barring a lapse in benefits or the caseworker leaves the DHS. If you have concerns regarding your caseworker, you can request a meeting with her supervisor. Any decision the caseworker makes can be appealed to a state appeals council and you will be provided their contact information once a decision regarding your eligibility has been made.
  
  

What To Do If Your Circumstances Change

• If any of your eligibility changes you must contact your local DHS office within 10 calender days. In large counties you will be provided an 800 number to call to report your change, while in smaller counties you are able to report your change directly to the DHS office. You must also provide proof of any changes through the same ways you originally determined your eligibility. You will be asked to provide written proof of all changes. When your eligibility changes you may have to speak with your caseworker again and the amount of your benefits may change.