SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, ensures eligible families and individuals with low income receive benefits to supplement their household monthly food budget. This program allows them to obtain a nutritious diet while maintaining good health and directing more of their available income toward essential living expenses. TDHS staff determine the eligibility of applicants based on guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The primary goals of the program are to alleviate hunger and malnutrition and to improve nutrition and health ineligible households. TDHS has a dual focus on alleviating hunger and establishing or re-establishing self-sufficiency.

Under federal rules, to be eligible for benefits a household’s income and resources must meet three tests: Gross monthly income — that is, household income before any of the program’s deductions are applied — generally must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.

• 794,734 Individuals representing 404,180 households served on average each month
• $1,802,036,736 In SNAP benefits issued
• $372 Average monthly SNAP benefit per household
• $116,817,465.32 in Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) funds delivered to 644,303 school age children and 118,373 households with preschool age children

The Tennessee Food Stamp Program, financed 100 percent by Federal funds and administered by the Department of Human Services, provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, the unemployed, and working families. Its importance as a safety net cannot be overemphasized because it provides a mechanism for stretching food dollars for those families and individuals with insufficient income or resources to meet all of their needs. Since the nationwide implementation of the Food Stamp program in 1964, malnutrition has been virtually eliminated; however, hunger and food insecurity continue to exist at unacceptable levels in every state. As a result, a national campaign to end hunger has been initiated by USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services.

To receive food stamp benefits, you must first apply for benefits and participate in an interview with DHS staff. If eligible, you will receive a Benefit Security Card or EBT Card, which allows food stamp benefits to be issued and accessed electronically.

Applying for benefits is just the first step. You will need to work with your local DHS office to confirm your eligibility.