The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has received the go-ahead from the federal government to extend maximum allowable Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a news release posted on the state agency's website, $182 million in emergency funding will be provided to SNAP recipients in Texas this month. The commission received approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to extend the maximum allowable benefit to more than 950,000 households. 

“The extension of these emergency SNAP benefits helps ensure that Texans can provide nutritious food for their families as the state continues to combat COVID-19,” Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement. “Securing access to healthy food in our communities is an important part of our response to this pandemic.”

The commission also provided $628 in allotments for the past three months to the approximately 1.4 million families and individuals in Texas who are eligible for the SNAP benefits, according to the release. 

Texas residents can go online to apply or get more information on SNAP and Medicaid benefits.