Maximize Your Thanksgiving SNAP Benefits – Top Foods to Buy for a Holiday Feast

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits play a crucial role in helping low-income families and individuals put food on the table year-round, and this includes Thanksgiving. This November, the USDA has confirmed that some SNAP recipients in Texas and Florida will receive their benefit payments on Thanksgiving Day, November 28. Here’s what recipients in these states need to know about receiving benefits on Thanksgiving and using them for a festive holiday meal.

Thanksgiving SNAP Payments

While most states distribute SNAP benefits earlier in the month, Texas and Florida will issue payments to eligible recipients on Thanksgiving Day itself, November 28. The exact date a household receives benefits depends on specific case numbers in Florida and Eligibility Determination Group numbers in Texas.

Payments in Florida

In Florida, SNAP benefits are distributed throughout the month based on the 9th and 8th digits of a household’s case number, read in reverse order (ignoring the 10th digit). Only households with case numbers ending in digits 96-99 will receive their benefits on Thanksgiving.

Payment Amounts in Florida:

• Single individual: Up to $292
• Household of 2: Up to $536
• Household of 3: Up to $768
• Household of 4: Up to $975
• Household of 8: Up to $1,756

Payments in Texas

In Texas, SNAP benefits are distributed to eligible recipients on specific dates based on their Eligibility Determination Group number. SNAP recipients with Eligibility Determination Group numbers ending in 42-45, 50-53, or 96-99 will receive their payments on Thanksgiving Day, November 28.

Payment Amounts in Texas: The maximum payment amounts in Texas are the same as those in Florida. For larger households, this can make a significant impact, especially around the holidays.

SNAP-Eligible Foods

SNAP benefits can be used to purchase a wide variety of food items to create a Thanksgiving meal. Here’s a list of items SNAP recipients can buy for the holiday:

• Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Turkey, chicken, ham, or other protein sources are eligible, making it easy to buy a main course for the holiday meal.
• Dairy Items: Milk, cheese, butter, and other dairy items are covered under SNAP benefits.
• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: SNAP covers all types of fresh produce, allowing families to prepare classic sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce.
• Breads and Cereals: Dinner rolls, stuffing ingredients, and other bread-based sides are eligible for SNAP purchase.
• Snacks and Non-Alcoholic Drinks: Chips, crackers, soda, and other non-alcoholic beverages can also be bought using SNAP benefits.
• Seeds and Plants: For those planning ahead, SNAP benefits cover seeds and plants that produce food, allowing families to grow their own produce for future meals.

SNAP benefits don’t cover non-food items, household goods, hot foods, or prepared meals from stores. However, with a wide range of eligible ingredients, SNAP recipients can still prepare a hearty Thanksgiving meal at home.

Planning

This Thanksgiving, SNAP recipients in Florida and Texas can enjoy the reassurance of a timely benefit payment to help cover holiday food expenses. With careful planning, SNAP-eligible foods make it possible to create a traditional Thanksgiving meal filled with holiday favorites, providing families with an opportunity to celebrate together without additional financial strain.

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