If you are getting ready to apply for food assistance and want to know more about Tennessee food stamps drug test, we have all the information you need. Tennessee is among 12 states that have petitioned the federal government (through the United States Department of Agriculture) to allow them to drug test anyone receiving government welfare benefits or assistance. The argument is that people on drugs are trying to cheat the system by getting a free ride while continuing their drug habit. It is also feared that they will trade the welfare benefit for drugs and not use the money for what it was intended for – which is offer assistance to those in need.

Does Tennessee food stamps drug test exist?

Even though the state applied to the U.S Federal Government to drug test Food Stamps (SNAP Benefits) applicants, the request was not approved. The U.S Department of Agriculture denied the request because it said the drug testing requirement violated privacy.The federal government ruled that drug testing for SNAP recipients is an invasion of privacy under Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable search and seizure.

Can I be Drug Tested in Tennessee for Other Welfare Programs?

Even though the request to drug test food stamps applicants was denied by the federal government, they ruled that individual states can drug test recipients of cash from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) fund, under the 1996 Welfare Reform Act. That means that in the state of Tennessee, you will be requested to take a drug test if you apply for Families First. The family first program provides a small monthly stipend for qualifying families with children. However, failing a drug test under family first does not necessarily mean you will be denied benefits. You may be referred to a drug treatment program, and if successfully completed, you may be approved for the benefit.

"Tennessee food stamps drug test"

There is evidence that the drug testing program for welfare recipients have not actually yielded much results and some are questioning whether the money being spent on drug testing is worth it. That’s because even though one is made to believe that this will yield a large number of positives, out of 39,121 people who have applied for Families First in Tennessee benefits since the state instituted drug tests in mid-2014, just 65 have tested positive for narcotics. That’s a pretty low number for all the noise that was made about politicians who were feeding the stereotype that welfare or public assistance recipients are on drugs and don’t want to work – and only need the benefits to feed their drug habit.

References:
NCSL
Think Progress

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