AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ backlogs for Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applications have surged since January, with more than 210,000 Medicaid applications and 150,000 SNAP applications awaiting processing in August, according to data from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The Medicaid backlog grew from about 1,600 applications in January, while the SNAP backlog increased from roughly 3,700 during the same period.
Texans Care for Children, a statewide research and advocacy organization, released the HHSC data and warned that the backlogs could continue to grow as the state implements new federal requirements for SNAP.
“We’re very concerned that Texans are stuck waiting longer for healthcare and food,” said Diana Forester, the organization’s director of health policy.
Forester said longer processing times could delay health care for children and pregnant women and make it harder for families to afford food.
As of Aug. 21, the median processing time for a Medicaid application had risen to about 70 days from nearly 50 days in January. The state also saw the share of Medicaid applications processed within the federal 45-day standard fall from more than 90% to 62% in late August.
SNAP processing times also increased, from about 20 days in January to more than 30 days in August. The share of SNAP applications processed within the federal standard fell by about 20%.
HHSC said it remains focused on getting eligible Texans their benefits as quickly as possible. The agency said new federal SNAP requirements require a thorough review of each case to ensure program accuracy.
Texas will also face higher administrative costs under the federal changes. Beginning later this year, the state will assume 75% of SNAP administrative costs, compared with an even federal-state split previously.
The state could also face more than $700 million in additional SNAP benefit costs if it fails to improve its payment accuracy rate. Texas recorded a 91% accuracy rate in fiscal year 2025, below the 94% threshold needed to avoid those costs.
Forester said Texas’ integrated application system, which allows residents to apply for Medicaid and SNAP through one application, can make disruptions in either program affect the other. Both programs also rely on the same pool of about 6,000 eligibility workers.
The state is implementing new SNAP work-reporting requirements that will require technology changes and additional training for eligibility workers.
Forester said the changes have added pressure to an eligibility system that relies heavily on manual data entry and has faced strain for years.
HHSC has acknowledged the need to modernize its eligibility system, but Forester said major technology upgrades could take years to implement.
She urged the state to consider short-term measures, including closer coordination with community organizations and in-person enrollment events, to help families navigate applications and reduce delays.
Forester also said clearer case-status information could reduce repeated calls from applicants seeking updates and allow eligibility workers to spend more time processing applications.