These changes are tied to emergency aid the federal government passed when the COVID-19 pandemic began in order to give all families a better shot at staying healthy. They provided extra help in SNAP, and they provided more funding so people with Medicaid can stay in the program—even if they didn't complete paperwork or no longer met the normal eligibility rules.

Now that aid is coming to an end: we are returning to pre-pandemic program rules. Texans with SNAP went back to receiving a monthly benefit based on your income and household expenses. Those with Medicaid will go back to completing paperwork each year to renew your benefits. There are currently millions of Texans whose eligibilities have not been checked in a long time, and Texas Medicaid is aiming to review all of those cases in the coming months.

We're worried people will have a hard time keeping food on the table.

We're worried people will lose access to health care.

Lots of folks have moved since 2020. If Texas Medicaid doesn't know where to find you, and you miss a notice to complete your renewal paperwork, you lose your Medicaid even if you still qualify. Experts have estimated that 3 in 4 children who lose their Medicaid nationwide will still be eligible. We also know Texas Medicaid is already short-staffed, overwhelmed, and behind, and they plan to look at millions of cases in just a few months.

Finally, keeping up with paperwork for these programs is difficult and confusing. It's like an extra tax for being poor. Everyone should know that you don't have to navigate this process alone: free, local, assistance is available.

Families received their last extra SNAP benefit in February.

For Medicaid, renewals will take place in waves starting in April 2023 and through the beginning of 2024. Texas Medicaid hasn't provided much clarity on when different groups of people will get the notice about when it's your turn to renew.

This is why it’s important to keep an eye out for any letters and alerts, and keep your information updated.

Accessing Medicaid and SNAP is safe and will help you and your children stay healthy. Use of these programs by eligible family members will not harm your chances of becoming a U.S. Citizen or put you at risk of deportation.

The Biden administration formalized this in a new regulation in December 2022, through a process that will make it harder for future presidents to change this.

That the information you provide to Your Texas Benefits or in benefit applications is protected by law. It will only be used to determine your benefits and cannot be shared with immigration enforcement agencies.

The paperwork may ask about immigration status, but you only need to provide that information for people in your household who are applying for the benefits.

You're not alone, and you don't have to deal with this alone.

Many Texans have gotten confusing notices, conflicting information, or requests for information that aren't relevant to the case. There is a clear process that should be followed, but our current eligibility system is prone to errors, and sadly, the burden falls on individuals.

We encourage you to reach out to a local community organization for free help so you have support and information.

If you have Children’s Medicaid and are now over 19, you will likely no longer be eligible for this program after the rules change. We encourage you to use the resources on this page to learn about your options before you lose your Medicaid.

You may have options available through your job, your school, or Healthcare.Gov. Also check out Every Texan's Guide to Healthy Adulting for Young Texans. 

Unfortunately, there aren’t great health insurance options in Texas for young people who are low-income. If Texas expanded Medicaid, this would be a great option for students and young adults . Learn more and take action.

If it’s been more than 60 days* since your pregnancy, you may lose your Medicaid coverage once the rules change. We encourage you to see if you may be eligible for Medicaid as a parent (use the tool above) or explore options on Healthcare.Gov.

*In 2023, because we raised our voices at the Texas Capitol, state leaders passed a bill that would let new parents keep their Medicaid benefits for a full year after their pregnancies. This is a great step in the right direction, but the state is still in the process of making this change. We are also fighting hard to expand Medicaid, because people deserve have health care between pregnancies, and not just once they find out they're pregnant.