Tennessee is not receiving extra food stamp payments this month in 2024

Tennessee stopped issuing emergency allotments — the extra payments added to regular SNAP benefits — in March 2023. Those payments were temporary federal support tied to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the federal Public Health Emergency ended, the extra money stopped, and Tennessee has not resumed emergency allotments since then.

Your regular SNAP benefit amount is based on your household income, expenses, and family size. That amount does not change month to month unless your circumstances change — a job loss, a change in rent, a new household member, or a change in income. If you received a different amount than usual this month, the reason is a change in your case, not an emergency allotment.

Key Takeaways

  • Tennessee ended emergency SNAP allotments in March 2023 when the federal Public Health Emergency ended, and has not restarted them.
  • Your regular SNAP benefit is recalculated only when your household income, expenses, or family size changes.
  • If your benefit amount changed unexpectedly, contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services to find out why.
  • You can check your current SNAP balance and transaction history through the Tennessee SNAP card system or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card.

How emergency allotments worked and why they ended

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government added extra money to SNAP benefits each month. These emergency allotments were meant to help households cope with the economic disruption. Every household receiving SNAP got the same boost — usually the maximum benefit for their household size — added on top of their regular amount.

The emergency allotments continued as long as the federal Public Health Emergency declaration remained in place. When that declaration ended on May 11, 2023, the extra payments stopped. Tennessee, like all states, ended emergency allotments in the month after the declaration ended. Regular SNAP benefits returned to their normal calculation based only on income and household circumstances.

What changed in your SNAP benefit this month

If your SNAP amount is different than it was last month, something in your case changed. The Tennessee Department of Human Services recalculates your benefit when you report a change or when they discover one during a review. Common reasons for a change include a job starting or ending, a change in hours or pay, a household member moving in or out, a change in rent or utilities, or a scheduled recertification of your case.

You should have received a notice in the mail explaining the change before it took effect. The notice lists the reason for the change and your new benefit amount. If you did not receive a notice, or if the reason listed does not match your situation, contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services right away. You have the right to ask for a hearing if you disagree with the change.

How to check your current SNAP balance

Your SNAP benefits are loaded onto a card that works like a debit card at grocery stores and farmers markets. You can check your balance and see your recent transactions in several ways. The easiest is to call the customer service number on the back of your SNAP card — it is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you will hear your balance immediately.

You can also check your balance online through the Tennessee SNAP card system or by downloading the card provider's mobile app. Some grocery stores also display your balance on the receipt when you swipe your card. Keeping track of your balance helps you know how much you have left to spend before the month ends.

When your SNAP benefit resets each month

Your SNAP benefit resets on a specific day each month, based on the last digit of your case number. The Tennessee Department of Human Services spreads benefit payments throughout the month so that all recipients do not receive their money on the same day. Your benefit day is the same every month — for example, if your benefits load on the 5th, they will load on the 5th every month.

If you are unsure what day your benefits load, check your SNAP card statement or call the customer service number on the back of your card. They can tell you your benefit day and your current balance. If your benefits did not load on the expected day, contact customer service to report the issue.

What to do if your benefit amount seems wrong

Start by reviewing the notice you received from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. The notice explains how your benefit was calculated and lists the income and expenses they used. If the information on the notice is incorrect — if they listed income you do not have, or missed an expense you reported — you can request a correction.

Contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services by phone, mail, or in person at your local office. Bring any documents that support your case: pay stubs, rent receipts, utility bills, or proof of other expenses. If you disagree with the decision, you have the right to request a hearing within 30 days of receiving the notice. A hearing officer will review your case and make a final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Tennessee bring back emergency allotments?

There is no current plan to restart emergency allotments in Tennessee. Emergency allotments were temporary federal support tied to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. That emergency ended in May 2023, and the federal government did not authorize states to continue the extra payments. Your regular SNAP benefit is based on your household income and circumstances.

Why did my benefit go down this month?

Your benefit changed because something in your case changed. Common reasons include a job starting or ending, a change in income, a household member moving in or out, or a change in rent or utilities. Check the notice you received from the Tennessee Department of Human Services — it explains the reason and shows how your new benefit was calculated. If the information is wrong, contact them to report it.

Can I get back the emergency allotments I received?

No. Emergency allotments were one-time federal payments made during the pandemic. They were not a loan and do not need to be repaid. Once the Public Health Emergency ended, those payments stopped for all recipients in all states.

How do I report a change in my income or household?

Contact the Tennessee Department of Human Services by phone, mail, or in person at your local office. You can also report changes online through the SNAP portal if you have an account. Report changes as soon as they happen so your benefit is calculated correctly. Some changes may increase your benefit, and some may decrease it.

What if I lost my SNAP card or it is not working?

Call the customer service number on the back of your card to report it lost or damaged. They can issue a replacement card, which usually arrives within 7 to 10 days. If you need benefits before the replacement arrives, ask about emergency cash access. In the meantime, your benefits continue to load on your account even if you cannot access them with the old card.