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SNAP (Formerly Known as Food Stamps)—Eligibility Information

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families.

Residency Applicants must be living in the state of Tennessee to receive SNAP benefits from Tennessee.  Age and Relationship There are no specific age limits to receive SNAP benefits.

Citizenship and Social Security Numbers An applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. National or a qualified immigrant to get SNAP benefits. Some legal immigrants are ineligible for SNAP benefits; however, dependents of an ineligible immigrant are often eligible. To be eligible, all SNAP household members must have a Social Security number or proof of having applied for one.  Work To receive SNAP benefits, most people, 16–59 years old, must:

Able-bodied adults without dependents aged 18–49 can receive only a limited number of benefit months in three years, unless working or volunteering with a reputable source at least 20 hours a week (80 hours per month) or more, or participating in a qualified training program for an average of 20 hours per week (80 hours per month) or more.  Other Factors

Resource Test To be eligible, a household cannot have financial assets over a certain amount. For most households, this limit is $2,250. For households containing a member who is disabled or 60 years of age, the limit is $3,500.  Countable assets include:

Assets NOT counted are:

For SNAP, vehicles do not count if they are used for family transportation, for going to and from work, for producing income, for subsistence hunting and fishing, as the household’s home, for transporting a disabled household member, and for carrying the household’s primary source of heating fuel or water.  Income Tests

The SNAP program does not count:

Countable income includes:

Households containing an elderly or disabled member do not have to pass the gross income standards but are subject to the net income standards. To see if you might be eligible, click on the link below for the most current income limits to the program. Income Limits/Test Your Income  Deductions If you’re over the net income limit for eligibility, you still might be able to qualify. SNAP rules allow these deductions to be made to your income total:

Basic Needs

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