
Previous SNAP participants may become eligible again for SNAP and should reapply if they lost their benefits due to work requirement rules.
People ages 18-54 are limited to just three months of benefits during a three-year period if they are not able to meet work requirements. The current three-year period ended on December 31, 2024 and the new clock started on January 1, 2025.
SNAP, once called “food stamps,” is a program that helps people in need buy food. It is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) but managed at the state level. In Tennessee, the program is overseen by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS).
SNAP is designed to help Tennesseans meet their basic food needs so they can focus on work, school, and family without the stress of wondering where their next meal will come from. With enough food to stay healthy, people can do better at their jobs or in school, which can lead to better career opportunities and higher pay. These steps can help families move beyond their current struggles and build a stronger, more hopeful future.
For more information about the SNAP program, visit the Tennessee Department of Human Services’s SNAP website.
To Apply click this link to the One DHS Portal for applicants.
Have questions? Please reach out to the Tennessee Justice Center at nutrition@tnjustice.org.