ANTI-HUNGER | Tennessee Justice Center

ANTI HUNGER

Our mission is to end hunger in Tennessee by protecting and strengthening SNAP, WIC, and Child Nutrition Programs. We aim to educate and inform people about the federal nutrition programs through outreach materials, webinars, and our collaborative partner network. We also help with direct client services, where we identify program barriers so that we can ultimately advocate for solutions.

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PUBLIC BENEFITS PROGRAMS THAT TJC FOCUSES ON

NEED OUR HELP?

We help with some public benefits enrollment or appeals issues with programs like TennCare, CoverKids and SNAP.

Call us at 615-255-0331 or at 1-877-608-1009 toll free.

You can also

*Make sure you provide us with some way to contact you. After you contact us, someone from Tennessee Justice Center should reach out to you soon. They will ask more questions to see if we can help.

We also have a directory of resources with information about who can get help with public programs, food assistance, and more.

FILL OUT OUR CASE INQUIRY FORM

PROGRAMS WE HELP WITH

SNAP (Food Stamps)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget for families so they can purchase healthy food and move away from food insecurity.

MORE ABOUT SNAP

WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps pay for food, provides health care referrals, & nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, & postpartum people, as well as children up to age 5 years old.

MORE ABOUT WIC

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SUMMER EBT

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.

MORE ABOUT SUMMER EBT

SCHOOL MEALS

School meals give our children healthy and nutritious meals to improve their chances of success and improve their learning opportunities. When we make breakfast and lunch free for all Tennessee students, everyone wins.

MORE ABOUT SCHOOL MEALS

SUMMER MEALS

The Summer Food Service Program provides free nutritious meals and snacks to low-income children (ages 18 and under) during June, July and August when school is not in session.

MORE ABOUT SUMMER MEALS

SNAP

Who is eligible?

Nearly 1 in 6 of our Tennessee neighbors is eligible for SNAP.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly called Food Stamps, provides money for low-income families to buy groceries. Eligible families receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that they can use to buy food. EBT cards are like a debit or credit card and are swiped by the cashier at check-out. Money is loaded onto the card each month.

SNAP eligibility is determined by how much money you make. Find the income limits by household size HERE. For example, a household of 4 must make less than $812.50 per week, or $3,250 per month. The SNAP application looks at both gross and net income. Gross income is how much money you make before you pay taxes and bills. Net income is calculated from your gross income by deducting things like your rent/mortgage, utility bills, telephone bill, and medical bills if you are a senior or disabled. There is also an asset limit to be eligible for SNAP. Households without an elderly or disabled member must have assets of $2,750 or less, and households with an elderly or disabled member must have assets of $4,250 or less.

To apply for SNAP you can fill out a paper application in person at your local SNAP office, send it by mail, or you can apply online HERE.
When applying in person or via mail:
- Pick up a paper copy at your county SNAP office and mail it in later, or complete it there
- Find assistance near you HERE
When applying online
- Watch our "How to Apply for SNAP on a Computer" HERE
- Watch our "How to Apply for SNAP on a Mobile Device" HERE

After you complete the SNAP application, a DHS caseworker will contact you by phone or mail to request certain documents to verify your application. These documents may include:

Copy of a birth certificate
Proof of residence
Proof of income (i.e., check stubs)
Bank statements
Utility bills
Rent/mortgage agreements

After you submit these documents, you will complete an interview to finalize the application process. If you are eligible, a SNAP EBT card will be mailed to you.

SNAP considers a household to be a group of people who live in a home and pay for food together. You do not have to be related to be considered a part of the same household. Individuals who live with roommates and want to apply for SNAP can apply as a household of one, if they pay for their food separately. Certain seniors and individuals with disabilities may count as a household of one if they pay for their food separately, but live with a caretaker-relative who prepares their food.

Seniors, individuals with a disability, parents with children, veterans, individuals who are homeless, and some former foster youth are not limited by how long they can receive SNAP, if they meet the other eligibility requirements. As of October 1, 2023, adults ages 18-52 who do not have children and who are able to work (also known as able-bodied adults without dependents– ABAWD) may be limited to three months of SNAP if they do not meet certain exemptions or are not actively working or participating in a work program. This age limit increases to 18-54 on October 1, 2024.

If you are a senior (60+) or are disabled, you can deduct any medical costs over $35 per month and medical bills from your income that you list on your SNAP application. This can help your SNAP eligibility or help increase the amount of money you get each month. The medical deduction can include insurance payments, doctor visit copayments, prescription and over-the-counter medication costs, and unpaid medical bills. See our Medical Deduction Flyer for the full list of deductible costs.

Yes. Immigrants with lawful permanent resident (LPR) status may be eligible for SNAP, if they have been in the U.S. for over 5 years. Children of undocumented immigrants may receive SNAP benefits if they are citizens or LPRs (have a social security number). Children and individuals with a disability who have LPR status do not need to live in the U.S. for 5 years before receiving SNAP benefits. This five year ban does not apply to refugees, asylees, and certain other classes of immigrant. Applying for and receiving SNAP does not hurt a legal immigrant’s chance of becoming a U.S. citizen.

For most applicants, the entire SNAP application process takes about 30 days. Certain people may qualify for expedited SNAP and can receive their SNAP card in 7 days. After you submit the paper or online application, a DHS caseworker will contact you within 10 days to request documents and schedule an interview (see “How do I Apply”). After you complete the interview and are determined eligible, your SNAP card will backdate to the date of your initial application. If you are eligible for SNAP, DHS has 30 days from the time you submit your application to decide if you are eligible for SNAP.

You might be able to get your SNAP card fast. This is called expedited SNAP. To qualify for expedited SNAP, you must have less than $150 in the bank or cash, your monthly rent and housing costs must be higher than your monthly income, or you must be a migrant or seasonal worker with less than $100. If you qualify for expedited benefits, you will receive your SNAP card within 7 days.

Yes. If you are a college student, you may be eligible for SNAP under certain conditions. See our SNAP for College Students Flyer for more information. College students may be eligible for SNAP if they meet one of the following criteria: they participate in a federal work-study program, work 80+ hours per month, care for a child under age 6, are enrolled full-time while caring for a child under 12 as a single parent or have a documented physical or mental disability. In certain circumstances, work requirements can be waived.

You do not need a permanent address to get SNAP benefits. The SNAP application requires proof of identity, but if you do not have a photo ID then someone can give a written statement to verify your identity. A SNAP card can be sent to an address where you get mail (to a friend or family member). If you do not have a mailing address, DHS can send your SNAP card to an organization that accepts mail on your behalf (such as a shelter or food pantry), or you can pick it up from your local SNAP office.

Most unhoused people qualify for an expedited process. When applying, make sure to mark that you are unhoused. This means the process should take a maximum of 7 days.

Unhoused people do not have to meet work requirements. New rules specifically exempt unhoused people from having to work in order to keep their SNAP benefits. If you are subject to time limits due to work reporting requirements, please reach out to us at nutrition@tnjustice.org.

Replacement SNAP is available to current SNAP participants who either lost power for 12 or more hours or who have had a household misfortune. Take the following steps:

Submit the replacement SNAP request form to DHS within 10 days of the incident to qualify for replacement SNAP benefits.
Upload the form to your OneDHS portal, fax it to your county office, or drop it off in person.
If approved, benefits are loaded directly onto the existing EBT card.
Find the replacement SNAP request form in English and Spanish.
Read more about replacement SNAP on TDHS’s webpage.

Disaster SNAP (D-SNAP) is another option that can help both SNAP and non-SNAP participants after damage caused by a natural disaster like a tornado or flood. D-SNAP is only available if the state request and receives a declaration from the President of the United States. More about D-SNAP here.

Many of our programs offer benefits based on documented need, with some using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Cards to deliver food or cash. Unfortunately, some criminals steal these benefits meant to help families achieve financial stability. In certain cases, customers who lose federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be eligible for reimbursement.

For updated information, visit this TDHS webpage HERE

If you are a victim of EBT Benefit Theft, watch the following video to learn about the steps you should take:

SNAP ADVOCATES

Collaborate with folks across Tennessee to discuss advocacy, casework best practices, and nutrition program updates focusing on SNAP. If you are interested in learning or sharing how SNAP impacts your work, please join our statewide network. Everyone is welcome to join!

JOIN SNAP GROUP

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WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps pay for food, provides health care referrals, and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum people, as well as children until the age of 5 years old

You are eligible for WIC if you are:

Pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women
Infants and children up to age 5 years old
Primary caregivers (such as dads, grandparents, and foster parents) for children up to the age of 5 years old
Below income limit or enrolled in SNAP, TennCare, or TANF
Tennessee resident - you do not need to have legal status

For more resources about WIC, please review our "Tools and Trainings" Page HERE

WIC ADVOCATES

Are you are interested in learning or sharing how WIC impacts your work? Please join our statewide network to increase utilization of WIC in Tennessee! On these monthly calls, we will dive into the specifics of the WIC program, discuss barriers and best practices, and learn from community partners across the state.

WIC Champions is held at 9am CT on the second Thursday of every month. Everyone, from experts in the field to novices, is welcome to join!

JOIN WIC CHAMPIONS

Can't attend the calls in real time? Watch recordings of our calls!

WATCH RECORDINGS

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SUMMER EBT

Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer Program for Children (Summer EBT) was established as a permanent program when P-EBT ended in 2023. Summer EBT provides grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer.

Your family will be automatically enrolled and you DO NOT need to apply if:

Your child was in a household receiving SNAP, TANF (Families First), or TennCare during the 2023-24 school year, OR
Your child received free or reduced-price meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during the 2023-24 school year because you filled out an NSLP application and were approved for the program.

Your family will NOT be automatically enrolled and you NEED to apply if:

Your child attends a school where all kids eat for free under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) AND you do not receive SNAP, TANF, or TennCare.
They attended a NSLP participating school and are not directly certified and also do not have an approved NSLP application on file.

Visit the DHS Parent Portal HERE by August 15, 2024, to apply for Summer EBT if your child was not automatically enrolled.
Complete and submit the application. Approval will be based on income guidelines.
If you need to apply and can't access the parent portal, you can call TDHS to apply by phone at 1-833-772-TDHS (8347). There is no paper application.
Expect two weeks for benefit issuance if approved.

Summer EBT cards will be mailed in relatively unmarked envelopes, so make sure not to throw them out.
Eligible families should expect to receive cards in the mail by the end of June 2024.
NEW CARDS will be mailed to each eligible child.
Benefits will NOT go on SNAP EBT or old P-EBT cards.
Eligible families will receive a one-time payment of $120 per child to be spent on food at participating SNAP EBT stores.
Benefits must be spent within 122 days, before the benefits expire. Please use the card as soon as it’s received!
To receive status updates, see when to expect benefits, get reminders, and learn where to view your benefit amounts, sign up for text message updates through the Parent Portal HERE
You can check your Summer EBT card balance online at www.connectebt.com or by calling 888-997-9444

SUMMER EBT ADVOCATES

Tennessee has opted into the program for 2024, which will support families struggling with hunger during the summer months. Tennessee has approximately 644,000 children who would be eligible to receive the Summer EBT benefit in summer 2024. However, the State of Tennessee has said that the program will not be adopted in 2025 and beyond.

Join the Summer EBT Alert Group (formerly P-EBT) to learn more and stay tuned for action to bring Summer EBT to TN in 2025.

JOIN SUMMER EBT ALERT GROUP

Help convince decision-makers to permanently adopt this program by sharing your story!

How have previous rounds of P-EBT helped you feed your family?
What benefits do you see from a program like Summer EBT?
How are you planning to use your Summer EBT benefits this summer?
How would not having Summer EBT negatively impact your family?

Please share your story. Let's make sure TN adopts Summer EBT permanently!

SHARE YOUR SUMMER EBT STORY

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SCHOOL MEALS

You should have received an application for school meals from your child’s school. If not, please contact the school directly.

SCHOOL MEALS ADVOCATES

JOIN

Sign up for our list to serve and attend school meals workgroup meetings to get involved with Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids in Tennessee.

SIGN UP

TAKE ACTION

Sign a letter, submit a letter-to-the-editor, or email your legislator to show your support for school meals for all.

ADVOCATE TOOLKIT

DONATE

Donate to Healthy Meals, Healthy Kids to support our advocacy and lobbying efforts to ensure that every student in Tennessee has access to breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to their families.

GIVE HERE

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SUMMER MEALS

Meals and snacks are served at community sites across the state, including schools, community centers, parks, and libraries. You can find summer meal sites in your area by:

Visiting kidsfoodfinder.org
Calling 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE
For more information and to find a site near you, visit www.nashville.gov/mac and click "Get Free Summer Meals for Youth"

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OUR PARTNERS

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NEED OUR HELP?

We help with some public benefits enrollment or appeals issues with programs like TennCare, CoverKids and SNAP.

Call us at 615-255-0331 or at 1-877-608-1009 toll free.

You can also

*We may not be able to help you. Make sure you provide us with some way to contact you. After you contact us, someone from Tennessee Justice Center should reach out to you soon. They will ask more questions to see if we can help.

We also have a directory of resources with information about who can get help with public programs, food assistance, and more.

FILL OUT OUR CASE INQUIRY FORM

ANTI HUNGER

NEED OUR HELP?

PROGRAMS WE HELP WITH

SNAP

SNAP ADVOCATES

WIC

WIC ADVOCATES

SUMMER EBT

SUMMER EBT ADVOCATES

SCHOOL MEALS

SCHOOL MEALS ADVOCATES

JOIN

TAKE ACTION

DONATE

SUMMER MEALS

OUR PARTNERS

HELP FIGHT HUNGER IN TENNESSEE

NEED OUR HELP?

STAY IN THE KNOW!