Officials ask for SNAP benefits to be allowed at restaurants

Officials with the State of Texas sent a letter to the USDA on Wednesday, asking them to allow for the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, or SNAP benefits, at drive-thru restaurants.

As the law stands, recipients are barred from using SNAP benefits on “prepared foods.”

“I urge the federal government to quickly approve this waiver, giving Texans another food option during this public health emergency,” the letter states.

Some legislators had hoped to give SNAP programs a 15% boost in funding as part of the Coronavirus Spending Bill, which passed the Senate early Thursday. However, at the last minute, the provision was taken out of the bill.

The USDA says it’s reviewing the state’s request.