Thousands of local families are bracing for the end of extra food stamp benefits now that the federal government is ending a pandemic-era policy that gave millions of families on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program more money every month.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission is providing more than $300 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits for the month of August.

Some Texas families may get an extra $285 per child in SNAP benefits this month. Here’s why. Published: June 5, 2020, 10:21 pmSome Texas families may get an extra $285 per child in SNAP benefits this month. Here’s why.

AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Health and Human Services will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits to help people in the state during the COVID-19 response, Gov. HHS got federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum allowable number of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size, according to a news release. Anyone receiving SNAP benefits is included. “SNAP, commonly referred to as the food stamp program, supplements the budget of the working poor. "The additional food subsidy announced today by Governor Abbott, although still supplemental, will help fill a portion of the financial gap created by the economic crisis resulting from this pandemic.