Tennessee SNAP Income limit 2024

Tennessee SNAP/Food Stamps Income Limit 2024

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Tennessee citizens must calculate their income limit and utility allowances and deductions to determine their eligibility for the SNAP program and the shelter deduction amount that they can claim.

Multiple factors determine the citizen’s eligibility for the SNAP program in any state. If we talk about Tennessee state then we can check the SNAP Income limit by dividing it into two parts.

  1. General Income Limit criteria.
  2. Tennessee-specific Income Limit criteria.

1-General Income Limit criteria:

The general limit criteria are the same for all states and include information about the Net Income Limit, Gross Income Limit, and Gross Income Limit for elderly and disabled persons. We have already written an article on SNAP Income Limit 2024 information which includes all the key information that all Tennessee citizens must read.

We will share only the Tennessee state-specific income criteria below so request you all to read all the general income criteria first.

In short…

Tennessee SNAP Income Limits (Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024):

  • The Gross Income Limit in Tennessee is 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  • The Net Income Limit in Tennessee is 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
  • The Gross Income Limit in Tennessee for elderly (60+ or older) and/or disabled is 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

2-Tennessee-specific Income Limit criteria:

Tennessee-specific income limits include the information related to shelter deduction in Tennessee state and how to calculate it, how to determine the actual SNAP amount citizens will get in Tennessee, and other Tennessee-related income criteria.

Tennessee SNAP Income Limit

In Tennessee state, several changes have been made to the income criteria, utility allowances, and shelter deductions. We can easily calculate the shelter deduction as per the information available through the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) cost of living information.

USDA shares the SNAP Standard Utility Allowances (SUA) every year before every fiscal year (1st October). We can use the utility allowances information that citizens in Tennessee state get to calculate the shelter deduction and SNAP amount of the household.

Tennessee SNAP Income limit 2024

Deductions and Allowances – Tennessee State

The most important point here is how we can calculate the total deductions. Calculating the deductions is not that simple and takes time and up-to-date information about each type of expense a household makes in a year. We are sharing the information about different types of deductions below.

1-A 20 percent deduction of all gross earned income is allowed.

2-Standard Deductions:

Allowed standard deductions are given below which is $198 for a family of 1 to 3 members and $208 for a family of 4 members.

3-Maximum Shelter Deductions:

The maximum allowed Shelter Deductions for Tennessee is $672 which was $624 last year. If there is an elderly or disabled member in the household then all shelter costs may be deducted if the shelter costs are more than half of a family income.

4-Maximum Homeless Shelter Deductions:

The maximum allowed Homeless Shelter Deductions for Tennessee is $179.66 which was $166.81 last year.

5-Maximum Asset Limits:

There is no asset limit in Tennessee. Asset limit will be applicable if there is any 60 years or older or disabled person in the household who did not meet the Gross Income test we have shared above. In this case, the asset limit is $4250.

6-Standard Medical Deduction:

Elderly (60 years or older) or disabled persons can deduct the monthly medical costs after subtracting $35.

Standard medical deduction = medical expenses – $35.

Utility Allowances in Tennessee State:

Households can deduct the Utility allowance such as Heating and Cooling, Basic Utility, and Other utilities such as Electricity, Gas and Fuel, Water, Sewage, etc. Utility allowances vary state by state. If we talk about the Tennessee state the the Utility Allowances are given below.

i-Heating and Cooling Utility Allowance (HCSUA): In Tennessee state, HCSUA can be claimed if the household pays for the heating and cooling utility bills or receives over $20 heating assistance from LIHEAP. The heating and Cooling allowance in Tennessee depends on the number of household members as shown below.

  • $430 for 1 member.
  • $445 for 2 members.
  • $462 for 3 members.
  • $480 for 4 members.
  • $495 for 5 members.
  • $511 for 6 members.
  • $526 for 7 members.
  • $542 for 8 members.
  • $560 for 9 members.
  • $574 for 10 or more members.

ii-Basic/ Limited Utility Allowance (BUA/LUA): Applicable for households that do not pay any heating or cooling expenses separate from their rent or mortgage. The LUA includes expenses for at least two allowable utility costs except heating/cooling costs. In Tennessee state, $164 BUA/LUA can be claimed for at least two or more utility bills.

iii-A telephone-only allowance: Applicable for households that have no utility expenses other than telephone. In Tennessee state, citizens can claim a $35 Telephone allowance.

iii-Other Utility Allowances: It include single utility allowances for Electricity, Gas and Fuel, Water, Sewage, Trash, Phone, etc other than the Heating/Cooling and Telephone allowance. Standard Utility Allowances for the Electricity, Gas and Fuel, Water, Sewage, and Trash is $0 in Tennessee.

Note: Only one utility allowance can be received by a household. Households can choose the highest allowance in case eligible for multiple allowances.

How to Calculate the Shelter Deduction in Tennessee State?

Use the below method to calculate the Shelter costs.

i-Shelter expenses = non-utility shelter costs (rent, mortgages) + standard utility allowance (SUA).

ii-Preliminary net income = Gross monthly income – [earned income deduction (including any child support paid out through court order) – standard deduction – any dependent care – allowable medical costs].

iii-Calculate half of the Preliminary net income.

Not your Shelter costs will be…

Excess shelter cost = Shelter expenses (i) – Half of the preliminary net income (iii).

An example to calculate the shelter Costs and Deduction:

My monthly earning is $1,900 through part-time work and I live with my wife and 2 children. I pay $750 rent per month and pay for utilities and heat.

I will calculate my shelter deduction as follows.

i-Shelter expenses = $750 (rent) + $480 (SUA) = $1,230. (Standard Utility Allowance is $480 for 4 members in Tennessee state)

ii-Preliminary net income = $1,900 Gross monthly income – $380 (earned deduction) – $208 (standard deduction) = $1,312

iii-Half of the Preliminary net income = $656.

My Excess shelter cost = $1,230 – $656 = $574.

My excess shelter cost of $574 is less than $672 (capped amount) so I can deduct $574.

Finally, my net income will be calculated by subtracting the max shelter deduction from the preliminary net income. Which will be $1,312 – $574 = $738.

$738 is less than the $2,600 allowed for a 4-person household, I met the income test.

SNAP Benefit Calculation:

From the above calculations of my net income ($738), I can calculate how much SNAP benefits I will get each month.

SNAP benefits = Maximum SNAP allotment – 30 percent of net income.

In my case…

My SNAP benefit = $973 (Maximum for 4-member family) – $738×30/100 = $752. It means I will get $752 SNAP benefits per month.

How to Apply for SNAP in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program is known as the ‘SNAP‘, the EBT Card is known as the ‘Benefit Security Card‘, and the SNAP portal name is ‘One DHS‘.

if you are a Tennessee citizen and fulfilling the income and other eligibility requirements then you can apply for the SNAP program. We are sharing different ways to submit your SNAP application.

1-Please visit the One DHS Customer Portal to submit your application online. Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) has developed the One DHS portal which is a cloud-based software product that helps all Tennessee citizens to apply and manage online accounts for the different benefit programs offered by TDHS.

If you are visiting for the first time, you will have to set up a new account. After that, log in to your account and submit your application for the TN SNAP program.

2-Citizens can visit the local office of their county in Tennessee and submit the SNAP application. Please check the office address and contact number at the Tennessee food assistance local office finder.

3-Download the offline application form PDF file and take a printout. After that, fill out the form by providing all the required information. After that visit the local food assistance office and submit this form or send this form through Mail at the below address.

Family Assistance Division, Department of Human Services P.O. Box 620001, Memphis TN 38181.

After submitting the application form, it will take 30 days maximum to process your application. You will have to participate in the interview process which you can complete through phone also.

Benefit Security Card: EBT cards in Tennessee are known as Benefit Security cards. In November 1998, Tennessee started an EBT program pilot project in four counties of Tennessee. Later the EBT program was implemented completely in all counties in August 1999.

All citizens who have qualified for the Tennessee SNAP program can check their Benefit Security card balance by visiting the ConnectEBT TN Portal Login, Registration guide to set up their online account.

When will I get my SNAP benefits every month?

States get the SNAP benefits as per the schedule prepared by USDA every year. In Tennessee state, the benefit issuance date depends on the last two digits of the Social Security Number (SSN). Citizens will get the benefit as follows.

  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 00-04 the benefits are available on the 1st of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 05-09 the benefits are available on the 2nd of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 10-14 the benefits are available on the 3rd of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 15-19 the benefits are available on the 4th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 20-24 the benefits are available on the 5th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 25-29 the benefits are available on the 6th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 30-34 the benefits are available on the 7th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 35-39 the benefits are available on the 8th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 40-44 the benefits are available on the 9th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 45-49 the benefits are available on the 10th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 50-54 the benefits are available on the 11th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 55-59 the benefits are available on the 12th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 60-64 the benefits are available on the 13th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 65-69 the benefits are available on the 14th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 70-74 the benefits are available on the 15th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 75-79 the benefits are available on the 16th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 80-84 the benefits are available on the 17th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 85-89 the benefits are available on the 18th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 90-94 the benefits are available on the 19th of the month.
  • If the last two digits of the SSN are 95-99 the benefits are available on the 20th of the month.

Helpline

For further assistance or inquiry, please get help through the contact details below.

Family Assistance Service Center: 1-866-311-4287 (8 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) 

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Hotline: 1-888-997-9444

Search the Local office for Family Assistance and get the assistance.

For stolen benefits, Call the TDHS Office of Inspector General fraud hotline at 1-800-241-2629.

Summary:

ParticularsSummary
Program nameTennessee SNAP
EBT cardBenefit Security Card
Offline application formDownload in English
Download in Spanish
Tennessee EBT Websitewww.connectebt.com/tnebtclient/
Administrative agencyTennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS)
Article typeIncome Limit
ObjectiveTo find the Income eligibility of Tennessee citizens for the SNAP program
BeneficiaryAll citizens residing in Tennessee State
Who can apply for SNAP benefitsAll Tennessee citizens fulfilling the eligibility and income limit criteria
Official SNAP websiteVisit here
Apply onlineVisit here
Local TDHS officeSearch here
Employment and trainingVisit here
SNAP Phone number1-866-311-4287
EBT Phone number1-888-997-9444

Final Take

We have shared all the important and updated information about the Income limit, allowances, and deductions in this article. We have shared step by step process on how Tennessee citizens can calculate their shelter deductions.

We have also shared the information about how to calculate the SNAP benefit amount. By using the information available in this article, citizens can easily check their eligibility criteria and apply for the TN SNAP program.

Finally, thanks for visiting this website and reading this article.

Finally, please write your questions or suggestions in the comment section below.

FAQs

What is the Income Limit for SNAP in TN?

Tennessee SNAP Income Limits (Oct. 1, 2023, through Sept. 30, 2024):

The Gross Income Limit in Tennessee is 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
The Net Income Limit in Tennessee is 100% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).
The Gross Income Limit in Tennessee for elderly (60+ or older) and/or disabled is 165% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL).

What is the Tennessee SNAP program?

Tennessee SNAP program is an assistance program to help low-income families in the state and make them self-sufficient. It is managed by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) along with other benefits programs such as TANF and Child Care Payment Assistance.

All eligible households will receive a grocery stipend through a Benefit security card that they can spend at the nearest participating store or online retailer.

Can I get food stamps if I live with my parents in Tennessee?

SNAP benefits are available for residents residing living in the state of Tennessee. Benefits are given to a household where Parents and their children 21 years old or younger living together.

If you are above 21 years of age and purchase and prepare your meals separately then you can apply for SNAP if meet the income, resource, deduction, and other eligibility criteria.

How do I check the status of my Tennessee SNAP?

If you have applied for the TN SNAP program then login to One DHS Customer Portal and check the current status of your application through the Benefit Dashboard page. You can also call the Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287 from 8 AM to 3 PM.

How long does it take to get food stamps in Tennessee?

As per the federal government guidelines, SNAP eligibility decisions must be made within 30 days after the submission of the application. If we talk about Tennessee state then the application approval time has gone up to 6 months. This delay is due to the transition from a 32-year-old system to a new modern and updated system.

As per the Tennessee Lookout report, DHS Commissioner Clarence Carter says “The agency hopes to bring the wait time for processing SNAP applications down to under 60 days by mid-February. By mid-March, the agency hopes to have the wait time down to under 30 days which is the standard turnaround time mandated by the federal government”.

References:

We are not affiliated with the Tennessee government or any other government agency. All the information has been taken from USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), and other official government sources. We do not claim to be a government official or legal advisor. Please check government websites for authentic and updated information

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