mRelief is BIG in Texas
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, 32,849 Texans used our eligibility screener to start enrolling for benefits.
- After addressing initial complications with the state’s lengthy SNAP backlog, now more Texans are receiving benefits with mRelief support than in any other state we serve!
- mRelief’s partnership with Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley is improving food access for communities on the Texas-Mexico border.
Texans 💙 mRelief!
In 2022, 30,018 Texans used our eligibility screener to find out they were likely eligible for SNAP. That’s more than four times higher than the average demand we see across states. We’re having a big impact in Texas!
With such high demand, mRelief launched a simplified application in the Lone Star state in the fall of 2022 to reach more of the 1 million likely eligible individuals in Texas who aren’t enrolled. Unfortunately, we quickly learned that Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) was experiencing a considerable backlog, creating months-long delays. mRelief clarified these expectations with our clients and collaborated with other organizations in Texas to streamline our application process.
The result? In just the first two months of 2023, 8,731 Texans have screened eligible for SNAP, and 44% have gone on to use mRelief’s simplified online applications to apply for benefits! That means more Texans are receiving benefits with mRelief support than in any other state we serve!
mRelief is also proud to partner with Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande, serving along the southeast Texas-Mexico border. Catholic Charities tells us that Johnnie has allowed them to start supporting families with accessing food benefits in a region that has an exceptionally high SNAP eligibility rate. Prior to using Johnnie, Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley did not offer SNAP application assistance at all. Now, with just one caseworker using Johnnie, they have assisted 105 clients with SNAP applications just since January 20.
We know all this matters, because Texans tell us nearly every day. Like this user, who texted a few weeks ago.
"You are absolutely wonderful and a blessing! Thank you so very much!! I have nothing to eat at all right now and I haven't been able to take my meds because I don't have food to take them with. Thank you again!"
— mRelief user in Texas
As far as we’ve come in Texas, there’s much more work ahead. Texas SNAP participation is below the national average, and Feeding America estimates that 3,720,710 Texans are facing hunger: 1,395,890 of them children. Now, we plan to spread the word about our simplified application process and expand partnerships with local organizations on the frontlines of providing compassionate support to make sure no Texan goes hungry.
If you want to support mRelief’s ongoing work to support food access in Texas and across the US, reach out and let’s chat. Or go ahead and donate using the button below. We’re growing, together!
