Texas lowers barrier for food stamps, but many still won’t qualify

Mercedes Bristol, 68, executive director of Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, left, and her youngest grandson, Paul Chavez, 12, hold each other in their front yard in San Antonio on June 16, 2023. Bristol is the primary caretaker of her five grandchildren, including Paul, who is the youngest. “We’re called the invisible foster care, the hidden foster care, nobody knows about this group of people that are raising grandchildren,” Bristol said. (Credit: Joe Timmerman/The Texas Tribune)

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Mercedes Bristol spent a recent Friday morning in her suburban San Antonio home sending emails, combing hair, answering calls and doing laundry for her grandson.