SAN ANTONIO — There are major delays at the state level processing SNAP applications, causing Texans to wait months for assistance. 

“That’s why I volunteer. Because there’s so many people out there that need things,” said Mary Olivares.

For a little over a year, Olivares has helped with food distributions. She saw the need for volunteers while waiting in line at a  food bank for emergency assistance. 

“We tried looking for a house and we can’t even afford the rent, much less the food,” Olivares said. 

Olivares’ husband is a disabled veteran. They’re both retired and living on a fixed income. Inflation has forced them to apply for food stamps. 

Their application for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, was submitted more than a year ago. The state sent Olivares a letter in April 2023 saying the application was being processed — but her approval is still pending.

“By December I told my husband, I’m going to stop calling them because I’m not getting anywhere,” Olivares said. 

Texas Health and Human Services Commission says that as of January, 225,638 SNAP applications are pending. It's asking folks to call 211 for help. 

Sixty-eight-year-old Chet Baker applied for food stamps last July. He comes to the Corazon Day Center for meals during the week. But he says waiting for SNAP isn’t good for his high blood pressure.

“My ribs are showing right now,” Baker said. “That’s messing with my health, too.”

In statement, HHS says, “taking all possible actions to provide benefits to eligible Texans as quickly as possible…working with our federal partners to implement immediate strategies to reduce the number of SNAP and Medicaid applications in the queue.”

“What is the problem?” questioned Baker. 

It should take only 30 days to determine SNAP eligibility, but HHS says the average wait is 38 days. Even though as of January the department says only 67% of SNAP applications were processed in a timely manner. 

“It’s not a good feeling to need and not be able to have,” Olivares said. “You know I worked all my life. I’m a taxpayer.”

Olivares understands the struggle to make ends meet. So, she’ll keep volunteering because there’s a need.

“If it wasn’t for the San Antonio Food Bank, I don’t know where we would be,” Olivares said.  

Health and Humans Services says it isn't requiring to redetermine eligibility for 6 million Medicaid clients before May 2024. They are working to hire more staff to handle the increase of SNAP applications.