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Tennessee

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on June 9, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in Tennessee, we recommend that you visit the state's COVID-19 Resource website

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Description of Program and Relief

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Tennessee’s SNAP program provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families by supplementing monthly food budgets. Although SNAP is an existing program, individuals and families adversely impacted by COVID-19 should be eligible if they meet general eligibility requirements. SNAP will soon, however, be introducing additional Pandemic EBT (“P-EBT”) for Tennessee families with children who qualify for free or reduced lunches. P-EBT will provide additional money for food to help these households during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of June 1, 2020, SNAP recipients are able to use their benefits to buy authorized food items online only through Amazon and Walmart locations across the state. SNAP benefits cannot be used for delivery fees and SNAP recipients who receive cash benefits on their EBT cards will not be able to apply those non-SNAP benefits to online purchases.

Government or Lead Agency

Tennessee Department of Human Services

Dates Available

Effective immediately.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

To receive SNAP benefits, applicants must reside in Tennessee and be U.S. citizens, U.S. Nationals or qualified aliens. All SNAP household members must have a valid social security number or proof of having applied for one. In addition, household income and available resources have to be under the limits outlined by the Department of Human Resources, which can be found by clicking here. Certain other employment requirements (which can be found using the above link) may apply depending on the applicant’s age and/or status as student.

Once P-EBT is launched, the Department of Human Services will begin issuing these benefits to current SNAP recipients that qualify. Tennesseans who don’t currently receive SNAP will need to apply when the application process for P-EBT opens in June 2020. These benefits may be used to purchase food in stores that accept SNAP benefits.

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

Please call 1(866) 311-4287 or click here to submit a question or live chat with a representative. Applicants that require assistance due to a disability or because they do not speak English, may access free assistance by contacting the phone number above. After the recorded message, applicants will reach an operator who can provide them with an interpreter.

Further details on the P-EBT program will be announced in June 2020, but interested individuals may call the following phone number for further information on the upcoming program: 1 (833) 496-0661 (select option 3).

List of Additional Information

Please click here for more information on SNAP benefits.

Please click here to apply for SNAP benefits online.

Families can sign-up for SNAP online purchasing by entering their Electronic Benefit Card (EBT) information on Amazon's SNAP dedicated website or by following the guidelines Walmart has established for SNAP online purchasing.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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