How to Apply for SNAP Benefits in Tennessee

You can apply for SNAP benefits in Tennessee online, in person, or by mail. Each method requires the same eligibility information to be processed.

Online Application

The quickest way to apply is through the state’s online portal. Before you begin, gather information about your household’s income, resources, and members to ensure your application is processed without delays.

Residency: You must live in Tennessee and apply in the county where you reside.

Citizenship and Social Security: Each household member needs to be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen. You must also provide or apply for a Social Security number.

Income Limits: Your household’s monthly income must fall below certain limits. These figures are effective from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.

• 1-person household: $1,632 gross, $1,255 net. The gross limit is $2,071 for households with an elderly or disabled member.

• 2-person household: $2,215 gross, $1,704 net. The gross limit is $2,811 for households with an elderly or disabled member.

• 3-person household: $2,798 gross, $2,152 net. The gross limit is $3,551 for households with an elderly or disabled member.

• 4-person household: $3,380 gross, $2,600 net. The gross limit is $4,290 for households with an elderly or disabled member.

For households larger than eight, add $583 gross and $449 net for each extra person. You can find the full 2025 income update online.

Resource Test: Your household’s countable assets must be below $3,000. This limit increases to $4,500 if a member is over 60 or has a disability. Your primary home and one vehicle are typically excluded.

Work Requirements: Most able-bodied adults aged 16–59 must register for work and accept suitable employment. Able-bodied adults without dependents face stricter eligibility rules, limiting benefits to three months unless they meet work or training minimums.

Special Considerations: Certain groups have different rules:

• Seniors (60+) and People with Disabilities: These applicants have a higher resource limit ($4,500) and are exempt from the gross income test, but must still meet the net income test.

• Students: College students aged 18-49 attending at least half-time are generally ineligible unless they meet an exemption, such as working 20 hours a week or caring for a young child.

In-Person Application

You can also apply at your local Department of Human Services office. An eligibility counselor can help you with the form. You will need to provide the same proof of eligibility as for an online application.

Mail-In Application

To apply by mail, you can download an application form from the DHS website or request one from your local office. Ensure all sections are complete and include copies of your eligibility documents before mailing.

How to Contact EBT Customer Service in Tennessee

• For Application Help: Call the Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287 (TTY: 711) for questions about your application or case.

• Hours of Operation: Live agents are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

See Tennessee EBT Customer Service Contacts

How to Use Your SNAP Benefits in Tennessee

After your SNAP application is approved, you'll want to know what you can purchase with your benefits and where to shop.

What is an EBT Card and How to Use it?

Your SNAP benefits are loaded onto an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. Think of it as a debit card for your food assistance. The card holds the funds your household is approved for each month, allowing you to buy groceries at authorized stores.

Using your EBT card is simple and works just like a regular debit card. At checkout, you just swipe or insert your card into the card reader and enter your private Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete the purchase.

What Can You Buy with SNAP Benefits?

Your SNAP benefits are intended for purchasing staple food items to feed your household. You can use your EBT card to buy a wide variety of groceries that help you prepare meals at home.

• Fruits and vegetables

• Meat, poultry, and fish

• Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt

• Breads and cereals

• Snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages

• Seeds and plants that produce food for the household

It is also important to know what you cannot buy with your benefits. SNAP funds are restricted and cannot be used for non-food items or certain prepared foods, so be mindful of these limitations when you shop.

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco

• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements

• Live animals (with some exceptions for seafood)

• Hot foods that are ready to eat

• Non-food items like pet food, cleaning supplies, and cosmetics

How to Manage Your SNAP Benefits

Managing your SNAP benefits helps you make the most of your monthly food budget and stay prepared for upcoming expenses.

How to Check Your EBT Balance

Knowing your EBT card balance helps you plan your shopping trips. You can find your balance printed on your last grocery receipt. You can also call the customer service number on the back of your card for an automated update.

For a quick look at your funds, you can use a free app. The Benny app shows your real-time SNAP and EBT Cash balance. It also lets you earn cashback on eligible purchases at certain stores.

EBT Deposit Schedule in Tennessee

Your SNAP benefits are deposited onto your EBT card on the same day each month. The deposit date is based on the last two digits of the head of household's Social Security Number. This staggered schedule helps manage demand at grocery stores.

For example, if your SSN ends in 00-04, your benefits arrive on the 1st. If it ends in 05-09, they arrive on the 2nd. This pattern continues in five-digit increments, with the last payments for SSNs ending in 95-99 arriving on the 20th.

Renewing Your SNAP Benefits

SNAP benefits are not indefinite. You must periodically renew them to continue receiving assistance. The Tennessee Department of Human Services will mail you a renewal packet before your certification period ends. It is important to complete and return this form on time.

Failing to submit your renewal paperwork can cause a gap in your benefits. You may also need to complete an interview. Be sure to report any changes in your household's income, resources, or members, as this affects your eligibility.

EBT Deposit Schedule in Tennessee

In Tennessee, your SNAP benefits are deposited monthly based on the last two digits of your Social Security Number. Knowing your date, which falls between the 1st and 20th, helps you plan your grocery budget.

You can find your specific payment date in our Tennessee deposit schedule.

See Tennessee EBT deposit schedule for 2025

How to Check Your EBT Card Balance

You can check your balance through the online portal, by calling the number on your card, or on your last ATM receipt. The Benny app also shows your balance and offers cashback on purchases.

Our guide covers each method for checking your EBT balance.

Check Your Tennessee EBT Balance

Manage your SNAP Benefits and Get Cashback with Benny

Benny is a free app that helps you track your EBT balance in real-time. You can also get cash back on eligible purchases at stores like Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Costco.

To get started, link your EBT card to the app. After you make a purchase, scan your receipt with Benny and receive cashback on SNAP-eligible items.

Download Benny to take control of your spending and get more out of your EBT benefits.