TN.gov Food Stamps Information

The Tennessee food stamps program, formerly known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutritional assistance benefits to individuals, families and children, the elderly, the disabled and the unemployed. The program helps supplement monthly food budgets of low-income families with a low-income by providing them with monthly cash benefits. These benefits are used to maintain good health and allow them to direct more of their available income toward essential living expenses. Eligibility for the food stamp program is determined by your local Tennessee Department of Human Services office. Eligibility guidelines are set by the United States Department of Agriculture. The primary goals of the government-funded program is to alleviate hunger and malnutrition, and to improve the health in low-income households.

If you wish to receive food stamp benefits in Tennessee, you must submit an application. When applying for benefits, you may be asked for the following documents listed below.

• Social Security Number
• Your Personal Identification (i.e. Driver’s License, Passport, school ID with photo, Resident Alien Card, Voter Registration Card)
• Proof of Residence (i.e. lease agreement, utility bill, phone bill, Driver’s License with current address)
• Income (i.e. pay stub, employer statement, award letter)
• Shelter Expenses (i.e. mortgage payments, property tax, homeowners insurance, rent receipt, lease agreement)
• Utility Expenses (i.e. electric bill, water bill, gas bill)

You will need information from these documents in order to complete your food stamp application. You may also be asked to bring these documents (or additional information) with you on your in-person interview at your location Department of Human Services (DHS) office. The interview is not conducted until your application is submitted. An employee at your local DHS office will contact you in regards to setting up your interview and what information/documents that should be brought with you.

If you have any additional questions regarding how to apply for food stamps in Tennessee be sure to check out our previous post that outlines the process step-by-step. You may also contact the Family Assistance Service Center at 615-743-2000 or chat with them live, here.

If you’ve already submitted your application to receive food stamps in Tennessee and would like to know the status of your application, you can visit the TN.gov food stamps website and look up your application/case using the Case Connect website portal. To access the portal, visit this webpage and log into your account. If you do not have an account, you can sign up for one on the same page.

If you’ve been approved to receive food stamps benefits in Tennessee you will be sent a debit-like card called an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. You will use this card to redeem your benefits at eligible grocery stores. Be sure to set up your 4-digit Personal Identification Number (PIN) before using your card. Do not share this number with anyone. Your card can be used just like a debit card at point-of-sale terminals inside eligible grocery stores. Benefits can only be used to purchase eligible food items. For a list of eligible food items, visit the USDA list here.

We hope this post was helpful to you! If you would like more information regarding food stamp benefits in Tennessee, be sure to check out our other posts. If you have any questions regarding the Tennessee food stamp program, you can leave those in the comments section below.

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