Tennessee Expands Locations To Help Existing SNAP Recipients Impacted By Severe Weather

A third emergency location will begin operating March 5th to help ensure families who suffered losses have the nutrition they need.
Wednesday, March 04, 2020 | 04:11pm

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is adding a third emergency location in Davidson County to help provide replacement Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to families who suffered losses in Tuesday’s severe weather.

These replacement benefits are available to existing SNAP recipients who:

  • Lost food due to a power outage of 12 hours or more.
  • Lost food due to home damage.
  • Request replacement benefits within 10 calendar days of experiencing food loss. 

For more information regarding how to apply for emergency benefits visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap.html 

Davidson County residents who may have questions about TDHS services are encouraged to call the Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287.

All Offices in surrounding counties are open for regular business today and are able to assist those affected.

Once approved, SNAP replacement benefits are issued on the current recipient’s EBT card. Cards that are lost, destroyed, or inaccessible will be replaced. Replacement SNAP benefits will be authorized for the value of the loss only and can’t exceed the current month’s allotment.

Individuals who are not existing SNAP recipients do not qualify for replacement benefits but they can apply for regular benefits online at https://faonlineapp.dhs.tn.gov/

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families. SNAP helps supplement monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need to maintain good health and allow them to direct more of their available income toward essential living expenses. TDHS staff determines 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 in eligible households. TDHS has a dual focus on alleviating hunger and establishing or re-establishing self-sufficiency.

Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices. 

###