If the federal shutdown continues past Oct. 27, funding for SNAP food assistance will run out in Texas, potentially leaving 3.5 million residents without benefits.

Newer figures from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) show only slight shifts. As of September 2025, Harris County still has by far the largest number of SNAP-eligible individuals, while Fort Bend, Galveston, and Brazoria have seen the steepest growth. Montgomery County is the only major Houston-area county showing a decline.

The Trump administration on Monday said it will restart SNAP food benefits. However, the payment amount will be cut substantially, and San Antonio residents may not see benefits return until early next week.

The Central Texas Food Bank expects to spend roughly four times its monthly budget to support Austin-area SNAP recipients.

The calls to the Republican governor came as the food stamp program was set to run out of funding amid the government shutdown.

The potential SNAP benefit delay could increase growing hunger crisis in Texas, a state which has the highest population of food insecure people in the U.S.

As the nation prepares for SNAP benefits to halt on Saturday, leaders turned their attention to public schools. For millions of students, school is the most reliable source of meals.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as food stamps, is the country’s largest anti-hunger program. Teixeira argued that the ongoing government shutdown is “exposing serious problems” in the program, which is set to expire on Friday.