Family Size

• How many people live in the household is one of the determining factors of food stamp benefits, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. An individual living alone can get a maximum of $200 a month. A family of two can get $367; three, $526; four, $668; five, $793; six, $952; seven $1,052; eight $1,202. For more than eight family members, add $150 per additional person.
  
  

Emergency Food Stamps

• Emergency food stamp benefits are available to families in dire need, says the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Some qualifying situations include having $100 or less in resources, monthly income less than $150 or having resources less than the amount spent on rent and utilities the month previous. In these circumstances, the commission can expedite the food stamp process, though the amount of benefits will be the same. Call 211 to ask for emergency services.
  
  

Recertification

• At the end of each certification period, people who get food stamps will be sent a re-certification application. Benefit periods are usually six months long, but can be a brief as one month or as long as two years, says the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Complete the application if you feel you still need food stamps.
  
  

Benefit Estimator

• Visit the Texas Health and Human Services Commission website, linked in Resources, to plug your information into a benefits estimator calculator, designed to help you get an idea of what you might qualify for.