Houston families struggle as SNAP delays and qualification gaps worsen food insecurity
A possible SNAP delay could impact thousands in Houston, but many families already don’t qualify for help. Nonprofits say more households are stuck in the middle, earning too much for aid, but not enough to get by.
Monica Simpson and her husband work hard to make ends meet. But even with her husband’s income, the two are living in an extended stay motel and rely on food pantries just to get by.
“My husband makes over the amount to receive food stamps, but we’re in a situation of homelessness,” Simpson told KPRC 2 News. “You can’t pay for the room and expenses and all that, and food.”
Simpson has applied for SNAP benefits before but was disqualified because of income thresholds. Still, her financial situation leaves little room for essentials.
“It’s horrible because they don’t see all the other expenses involved,” she said. “We’re spending over half, three quarters of our income just to house ourselves.”
She’s not alone.
According to United Way of Greater Houston, Simpson is part of a growing demographic known as ALICE — short for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are individuals and families who earn above the federal poverty level but still don’t make enough to afford basic necessities like food, housing, transportation, and childcare.
“ALICE households often juggle multiple jobs and still face tough decisions every day,” said Elias Delgado, with United Way. “Do I pay for food today, or my utility bill? Gas to get to work, or rent?”
Delgado says recent data shows 42% of households in Greater Houston are either living in poverty or fall under the ALICE category:14% below the federal poverty line, and 28% in that ALICE gap.
“It can be anyone at any point,” Delgado added. “It could be my neighbor. It could be somebody at the grocery store. I always say, I was ALICE and I didn’t even know what that was. I just thought it was the struggles of everyday life.”
Delgado says ALICE isn’t just data, it’s a reflection of real people.
“The federal poverty line is a little bit outdated,” he explained. “ALICE data gives us a much clearer picture of who’s struggling and how. It helps nonprofits like United Way better understand how to support those families and connect them with the right resources.”
SNAP Delay Adds New Pressure
Adding to the financial strain for many families is a new directive from the U.S. Department of Agriculture telling states to pause SNAP benefits for November due to a potential funding shortfall possibly tied to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
At the Houston Food Bank, staff say they are preparing for the fallout.
“We’re not aware how states are going to interpret the memo,” said Nicole Lander, Chief Impact Officer at the Houston Food Bank. “There’s uncertainty around the timeline and what this means for recipients.”
The Houston Food Bank, which serves 18 counties and helps more than 425,000 people, is a direct recipient of a federal program that helps with SNAP application assistance.
“There have been some new qualifications that came out with the ‘Big Beautiful Bill,’” Lander said, referring to recent federal legislation. “So [the delay] could be tied to the shutdown but we’re not emphatically sure.”
Despite the uncertainty, Lander encourages SNAP recipients not to delay using their benefits.
“Continue to use your benefits. Don’t store them,” she said.
For Those Left Behind
For people like Monica Simpson, and many others in the ALICE category, the delay in SNAP doesn’t apply, because they don’t qualify at all.
Simpson visits West Houston Assistance Ministries, where she’s able to get groceries for her family.
“They give you everything, meat, fresh vegetables, fresh fruits,” she said. “They make you feel at home. They make you feel like family. They don’t make you feel like you’re a homeless person needing food.”
If you’re a SNAP recipient or need immediate food assistance, call 2-1-1 and press option 2 to find the nearest food distribution center.
