Residents of this state must pay attention to new license changes coming their way. Updates to licenses have recently been in the news following the enactment of the REAL-ID legislation, as well as more states expanding the use of digital IDs for residents. Both initiatives serve a long-term outlook of increasing national security and keeping your sensitive information secure, all while keeping up with contemporary times, which are seeing the world becoming increasingly digitalized.
New license changes across states
This year, after two decades, the REAL-ID Act deadline was finally enforced in May. The REAL-ID Act was passed after the 9/11 Twin Towers attacks. The policy is intended to ensure that all identification documents across states have increased cohesiveness and similarity in order to increase national security by making it harder to make fraudulent identity documents.
On top of these changes, more states are starting to roll out their digital license programs. These programs are intended to make identification processes more streamlined for both residents and authorities. States like Arizona, Colorado, and Maryland already have operating digital ID programs that work through both Apple and Google Wallet. Other states that currently have digital ID programs in place, or are in the process of rolling them out, include: Georgia, Ohio, Hawaii, California, Iowa, New Mexico, Montana, and New York.
New license updates are coming to this state
Big changes like the REAL-ID Act and the digital license programs are substantial programs that often take a long time to roll out. They generally involve multiple stakeholders and authorities who need to be involved, and have far-reaching consequences across state borders. The increase in digital licenses, for example, has meant that increased infrastructure needs to be implemented in federal facilities in order to ensure that these new identity documents can be read. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently rolled out new infrastructure across 250 new airports, which ensures that residents with digital IDs can use them when checking in for a flight.
However, some license changes are more local. Recently, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced that Texans will be getting a new update to their driver’s licenses with a brand new design in order to strengthen security, prevent fraud, and modernize identification. The new design has strengthened the visual and security layers in order to make it more difficult to make fakes and increase verification processes.
Key changes to the Texan licenses include:
- The holograms and printing layers on residents’ driver’s licenses include more advanced technology.
- The licenses have been updated to include fresh colors, crisp graphics, and a redesigned layout.
- The licenses are reportedly more durable to wear and tear from constant use.
- Licenses now include larger photographs and more readable typefaces for ease of identification.
Licenses will be automatically updated if you are due for a license renewal or replacement. Old designs will remain valid until your license expires.
New payment coming your way from this state
On top of these changes to Texas driver’s licenses, Texans can also expect to have their SNAP benefits distributed tomorrow, provided that they meet the correct eligibility critiera. SNAP is a cornerstone social support program funded by the federal government to ensure that low-income individuals can pay for food expenses.
Texan authorities stagger their SNAP beneficiaries’ payments throughout the month, with your payment date dependent on the last two digits of your EDG number. Tomorrow, Texan SNAP beneficiaries who have an EDG number ending in 65-67 can expect to have their benefits paid out. Payments will continue to be rolled out until September 28. In order to qualify to receive these benefits, you need to ensure that you stay within specific income limits correlated to the number of beneficiaries in your home.
