New TN law adds work requirements for SNAP benefits
by: April Thompson
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Big changes are coming for those who receive SNAP benefits.
The state of Tennessee is cracking down on able-bodied adults who get Supplemental Nutrition Assistance, formerly known as food stamps.
The new emphasis is on finding work under a new federal law changing who can get SNAP food benefits.
By the end of October, you have to verify that you are exempt from the new rules or you will become governed by them.
If you are an able-bodied adult with no dependents between 18 and 65, with no disability and no kids under 14, you will have to follow certain work rules to be able to get SNAP.
The rules require you to work, volunteer or participate in a job training program at least 20 hours a week.
If you don’t do any of those, you will only get SNAP benefits for three months in any three-year period.
The Department of Human Services wants Tennesseans to be prepared to make any necessary adjustments.
State Representative G.A. Hardaway says Tennessee already has SNAP work requirements. He says the federal changes will mean the state has to do more.
“Our technology has got to be up-to-date, hardware and software, and we’ve got to streamline the process where the recipients get a chance to appeal, be heard,” Hardaway said.
Hardaway remembers the problems in the past that caused the system to fail.
“Our system, in both personnel and technology, was not prepared for, accepting appeals, accepting errors, appeals and things that were not the fault of the actual recipient,” he said.
And even today, there continue to be complaints over SNAP benefits being stolen from recipients.
One West Memphis mother of four small kids told WREG she was forced to go without her benefits in July after her benefit card was drained, similar to what Memphis callers have been saying.
There are several exemptions from the new work requirement, including anyone who is pregnant, under 18, disabled, caring for someone sick or anyone receiving unemployment.
But to get the exemption, you must provide proof by October 31.
“When we’re transitioning, we always make somebody pay a price that they shouldn’t have to pay. So that’s part of what our legislators will be monitoring,” Hardaway said.
About Post Author
