The income limit is the most important food stamps (SNAP) eligibility requirement in Tennessee. In this post, In this post, we are going to walk you through the 2023 income limit for Tennessee food stamps, including how to calculate how much you will receive in SNAP benefits if approved.
Additionally, we will provide information on how to apply for food stamps in Tennessee.
Lastly, we will answer the most frequently asked questions about SNAP benefits in Tennessee.
Table of Contents:
- Food Stamps in Tennessee
- Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Tennessee
- 2023 Income Limit for Tennessee Food Stamps
- How to Apply for Food Stamps in Tennessee
- Food Stamps in Tennessee FAQs
Food Stamps in Tennessee
SNAP (also known as food stamps) offers nutrition assistance to millions of eligible, low-income individuals and families in Tennessee.
In Tennessee, the SNAP program is run by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS).
Once you are approved, SNAP benefits are provided on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, that is used as a debit card.
EBT cards are accepted at most grocery stores, some farmers’ markets, convenience, big box stores, and some online stores, like Walmart and Amazon.
SNAP benefits generally cannot be used to buy prepared foods, vitamins, alcohol/tobacco, and non-food items (like soap or toothpaste).
Who is Eligible for Food Stamps in Tennessee?
To be eligible for SNAP in Tennessee, a household must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a citizen or legal immigrant
- Must be a Tennessee resident
- Your household income must be less than the food stamps income limits for your household size (see chart below)
- With some exceptions, you must work or participate in an employment and training program
- For most households, resources must be under $2,750 to qualify for SNAP or $4,250 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled
2023 Income Limit for Tennessee Food Stamps
To qualify for SNAP in Tennessee, your household income must not exceed 130 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
You can find out if you may qualify by using the 2023/2024 table below.
Income limits vary according to household size.
Households that contain no elderly or disabled individuals must meet both the gross (income before deduction) and the net income (income after allowable deductions) limits.
However, households that contain an elderly (age 60 or over) individual or a disabled individual must meet only the net income limits.
See the table below for both the net and gross income limits according to household size.
| Tennessee SNAP Income Eligibility Standards for Fiscal Year 2024 | |||
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |||
| Household Size | Monthly Net Income (100% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income (130% of FPL) |
Monthly Gross Income for households with an Elderly or Disabled Member (165% of FPL) |
| 1 | $1,215 | $1,580 | $2,005 |
| 2 | $1,644 | $2,137 | $2,713 |
| 3 | $2,072 | $2,694 | $3,419 |
| 4 | $2,500 | $3,250 | $4,125 |
| 5 | $2,929 | $3,807 | $4,833 |
| 6 | $3,357 | $4,364 | $5,539 |
| 7 | $3,785 | $4,921 | $6,245 |
| 8 | $4,214 | $5,478 | $6,953 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $429 | $557 | $708 |
How to Apply for Food Stamps in Tennessee
There are multiple ways you can apply for food stamps in Tennessee.
Option 1 – Apply Online
The easiest way to apply for SNAP benefits is online through the Tennessee ONE DHS portal.
Log on to https://onedhs.tn.gov/ and create a ONE DHS account to apply for SNAP.
Option 2 – Apply by Mail or Fax an Application
To apply by mail or fax, download the SNAP application here.
Once you have completed the application, you can submit it by mail or fax.
Instructions on how to do so are included in the application.
Also, you can request an application to be mailed to you by calling 1-866-311-4287.
Option 3 – Apply in Person
If you are unable to apply online or by mail, TDHS has offices statewide to assist you with the application process.
Click here to find your local office.
Food Stamps in Tennessee FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about Tennessee Food Stamps:
What is the Phone Number for Tennessee Food Stamps?
If you need help applying for food stamps in Tennessee or have further questions about how the SNAP program works, call Customer Call Center at 1-866-311-4287.
How Much Will I Receive in Tennessee Food Stamps?
If you are approved for food stamps in Tennessee, how much in benefits you get partly depends on the:
- Number of people in your household,
- The total amount of your household’s income, and
- U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Thrifty Food Plan.
The Thrifty Food Plan is a government estimate of how much it costs to provide a household with nutritious, low-cost meals.
In Tennessee, the average monthly SNAP amount per person is approximately $246.
| Maximum SNAP Benefit Amount by Household Size for Fiscal Year 2024 | |
| Effective October 1, 2023 – September 30, 2024 | |
| Household Size | Maximum SNAP Benefit Allotment |
| 1 | $291 |
| 2 | $535 |
| 3 | $766 |
| 4 | $973 |
| 5 | $1,155 |
| 6 | $1,386 |
| 7 | $1,532 |
| 8 | $1,751 |
| Each Additional Household Member: Add | $219 |
To find out how much you are likely to get in Tennessee SNAP if approved, use the calculator below.
In the example provided below, we are using a family of 6 to demonstrate how to calculate your food stamps amount.
How Tennessee Food Stamps Calculator
Here’s how to calculate how much a family of 6 will get in SNAP benefits.
First, we need to start with the household income.
If you have a countable net income, multiply your net monthly income by 0.3 (30 percent).
Round up this amount to the nearest dollar.
Next, take this amount and subtract it from the maximum benefit level for a household of your size.
From the table above, the maximum a household of 6 could receive in food stamps is $1,339
The result is the monthly food stamps benefits for a family of 6.
Here’s an example:
Example: Jennifer and her family of six (6) have $2,460 in net income after allowable deductions.
To determine the family’s SNAP benefits, take 30% of the “net income” (30% of $2,460) and subtract it from the maximum benefit, as follows:
$2,460 Net Income for Jennifer’s family
x .30 (Multiply by 30%)
$738 Countable Income
$1,386 Maximum SNAP for 6 persons
-$738 Countable income (round up)
$648 Monthly SNAP benefits for Jennifer’s family
When are Tennessee EBT benefits deposited?
Tennessee food stamps benefits are deposited on your TN EBT Card on your scheduled deposit day. Tennessee EBT Deposit Dates are sent out during the first 20 days of each month.
The day your Tennessee food stamp benefits are deposited depends on the last 2-digits of your Social Security Number (SSN).
Food Stamp benefits will be made available in your Tennessee EBT Card account by 6am on your scheduled deposit day.
Here is the Tennessee SNAP EBT Deposit Schedule for 2023:
| If your Social Security Number ends in: | SNAP Benefits are available on the: |
| 00 to 04 | 1st day of the month |
| 05 to 09 | 2nd day of the month |
| 10 to 14 | 3rd day of the month |
| 15 to 19 | 4th day of the month |
| 20 to 24 | 5th day of the month |
| 25 to 29 | 6th day the month |
| 30 to 34 | 7th day of the month |
| 35 to 39 | 8th day of the month |
| 40 to 44 | 9th day of the month |
| 45 to 49 | 10th day of the month |
| 50 to 54 | 11th day of the month |
| 55 to 59 | 12th day of the month |
| 60 to 64 | 13th day of the month |
| 65 to 69 | 14th day of the month |
| 70 to 74 | 15th day of the month |
| 75 to 79 | 16th day of the month |
| 80 to 84 | 17th day of the month |
| 85 to 89 | 18th day of the month |
| 90 to 94 | 19th day of the month |
| 95 to 99 | 20th day of the month |
How Many People are on Food Stamps in Tennessee?
| Number of People on Food Stamps in Tennessee | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 839,487 | 806,886 | -3.9% |
| Number of Households | 427,356 | 406,753 | -4.8% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $254,705,875.00 | $129,619,399.00 | -49.1% |
United States Food Stamps Statistics for January 2023:
| Number of People on Food Stamps in The United States | |||
| As of September 2022 | |||
| September 2021 | September 2022 | Change | |
| Number of People | 40,846,833 | 41,665,296 | 2.0% |
| Number of Households | 21,402,558 | 21,907,553 | 2.4% |
| Total Benefits ($) | $9,117,810,630.00 | $9,338,989,005.00 | 2.4% |
What stores accept Tennessee EBT online for delivery?
Currently, there are 16 stores that accept Tennessee EBT Cards online as payment.
You can use your TN EBT Card and food stamp benefits to purchase approved grocery items and have it delivered directly to your door.
However, your Tennessee SNAP benefits cannot be use to pay for delivery fees.
Currently, the following stores accept Tennessee food stamps and EBT Cards online:
- ALDI
- Amazon
- Earth Fare
- Food City
- Food Lion
- H.G. Hill Foods Store
- Kroger
- Memphis Cash Saver
- Piggly Wiggly (Henderson)
- Publix
- Sam’s Club Scan & Go
- Sprouts Farmers Market
- Superlo Foods
- Target
- Walmart
- Whole Foods
How can I reach Tennessee EBT Customer Service?
If you need help or have questions regarding your EBT Card or P-EBT Benefits Card, please contact Tennessee EBT Customer Service.
You can speak with a customer service representative by calling the Tennessee EBT phone number at 1-888-997-9444.
The toll-free helpline is available to assist you 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
If you need further assistance with your SNAP benefits, you can contact your local Social Services office.
In addition, you can visit your local county DHS office for more help. Click here to locate a Tennessee DHS office near you.
Income Limit for Tennessee Food Stamps Summary
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If you have additional questions about the Tennessee SNAP or EBT, please leave those in the comments section below. We are here to help you!
Be sure to check out our other articles about Tennessee Food Stamps and EBT, including:
- How to Check Tennessee EBT Card Balance
- Tennessee EBT Card Discounts & Free Admissions
- Grocery Stores that Accept EBT online
- How to Get 50% off Amazon Prime with EBT
- Eligible Food Stamps Items