NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has announced a plan to invest $3 million, helping families in need. If the Tennessee General Assembly approves this proposal, eligible children from SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) households will receive a one-time payment of $120. This initiative targets families in counties lacking sufficient summer food resources, as identified by the Summer Food Service Program.
TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter expressed, “This innovative step will help us offer better food security to children in Tennessee. It’s a smart way to aid families in underserved areas during the summer.”
The payment will be issued through existing EBT cards, making it easier for families to access these funds.
Governor Lee has included this initiative in the FY25-26 budget amendment, with more details about distribution and the program coming soon.
To qualify for this program, families must:
- Be part of Families First or SNAP, with at least one school-aged child aged 5 to 18
- Live in a county identified as unserved or underserved by the Summer Food Service Program:
- Unserved Counties: Houston, Humphreys, Marshall, Moore, Sequatchie, Sumner
- Underserved Counties: Benton, Carroll, Carter, Cocke, Fayette, Grainger, Johnson, Lauderdale, Rhea
Tennessee already has food assistance programs to support families:
- Summer Food Service Program (SFSP): This program recently expanded to include rural meal sites, providing over 3.4 million meals to children last year.
- Seamless Summer Feeding Option: This allows schools to provide free meals in low-income areas during summer vacations, helping to reduce hunger during these months.
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP supports more than 300,000 children and their families, ensuring that food is accessible to those who need it most.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES (TDHS)
The TDHS helps nearly two million Tennesseans through various programs aimed at improving lives and fostering self-sufficiency. The department supports services like Child Support, day services for children and adults, and food assistance programs. By connecting families with essential resources, TDHS aims to help individuals and communities thrive. For more about their services, visit the TDHS website.
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