How to Apply for SNAP
Food Stamps
What are SNAP Food Stamps?
How do I apply for SNAP Food Stamps?
SNAP Food Stamps are help from the government
to buy most foods in grocery stores. SNAP Food
Stamps are not cash. SNAP Food Stamps are put on
an electronic benefit transfer or EBT card each month.
You use the EBT card like a debit card.
The sooner you apply the more SNAP Food Stamps
you get for the first month. You have a right to apply
the first day you contact the Food Stamp office.
What can you buy with SNAP
Food Stamps?
You can use food stamps to buy
food to eat like:
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Bread
Fruits and vegetables
Meat
Milk, cheese and yogurt
Baby formula
Baby food
You can’t use food stamps to buy:
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Hot food
Food that will be eaten in the store
Beer or alcohol
Cigarettes
Pet food
Vitamins
Medicine
Soap
Diapers
Household items
Where do I apply for SNAP Food Stamps?
You can apply at the Department of Human Services
(DHS) office in your county. Don’t know where the
DHS office is? On the internet go to www.tn.gov/
humanserv/st_map.html.
OR call the Family Assistance Center at 1-866311-4287. It’s a free call. They can tell you
where to go to apply for SNAP Food Stamps.
First, get an application. You can pick up an
application at the DHS office. Or, someone at the
DHS office can mail it to you. Or go to www.tn.gov/
humanserv/forms/FAApp on the internet.
Fill out the application. Do
you need help filling out the
application? Ask someone at the
DHS office to help you. Apply as
soon as possible. You can mail it,
fax it, or drop it off at the office.
What happens after I apply?
A DHS worker will contact you to set up a meeting
to talk to you at their office. Are you elderly or
disabled? Then if you ask, they must talk to you by
phone.
What will they ask me for?
The DHS worker may ask for these things:
• The names and ages of everyone in your
household
• Birth certificates and driver’s licenses for
everyone who will get Food Stamps
• Social Security numbers for everyone who will
get Food Stamps. Important: Family members
who don’t want Food Stamps don’t have to give a
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Social Security number.
Pay stubs for everyone for the last 8 weeks or
Letter from your employer saying how much you
make
Income tax forms
Proof of all savings and checking accounts
Proof of other money you and others in your
household get, like:
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Social Security
VA
Unemployment
Child support
Alimony
Proof of where you live. Homeless? You can use
a letter from the shelter where you are living.
Not in a shelter? Just tell the worker that you are
homeless.
Proof of rent or house payments
Proof of recent gas, lights, water, phone, coal or
wood bills
Proof of day care or baby sitting costs you pay
Are you 60 or over or disabled? Give them your
drug or medical costs. Also give them the cost of
travel to and from the doctor or hospital. See our
booklet called “SNAP Food Stamps and Medical
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Expenses.”
Give all these papers to the DHS worker you meet
with.
What if I can’t find all the papers?
You can still apply. All you need to do is give your
name, address, and sign your name. Go meet with
the worker. Tell the worker that you need help
getting the papers. OR give the worker the name of
someone who has the information you need. The
DHS worker must help you get the papers you need.
Do you need to change the time of your meeting?
Call the DHS worker.
How long will it take to get SNAP Food Stamps
after I apply?
Do you meet the rules to get SNAP? Then you will
get food stamps in 30 days or less after you apply.
Do you have less than $150 in monthly income before
taxes are taken out? AND do you have $100 or less
in resources when you apply? Then you should get
SNAP Food Stamps in 7 calendar days or less after
you apply.
Resources are what DHS calls things you have that
you could buy food with. Your home and car don’t
count as a resource. But these do count:
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Cash
Checking accounts
Savings accounts
Tax refunds, but not the Earned Income
Credit, unless you save it too long
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RV’s
Boats
4-wheelers
Some land
What if I want to see information about my SNAP
Food Stamps?
You can call the Family Assistance Center at 1-866311-4287. It’s a free call.
OR go to www.tn.gov/humanserv/ on the internet. Click
on “Case Connect.” Click on Search.
Type in:
• Your first name and last name
• Your date of birth
• The last 4 numbers of your
Social Security Number
Click “search.” Once you are in, you can see:
• If your application has been OK’d or turned
down
• Your next time to meet with DHS
• Date when you have to apply again and
• How much SNAP Food Stamps you get each
month
What if I want to ask a question about SNAP Food
Stamps?
You can call the Family Assistance Center at 1-866311-4287. It’s a free call.
Go to www.tn.gov/humanserv/ on the internet. Click
on “Live Chat.” Type your question in the chat
window. Someone will answer you.
Or, you can click “Direct E-mail.” Type an e-mail with
your question. Someone will e-mail you back.
1-800-238-1443
It’s a free call.
This fact sheet is not meant to take the place of legal advice. If you have
a legal problem, talk to a private lawyer. Or call your local legal aid office
at 1-800-238-1443.
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