If you have SNAP benefits, or food stamps, you may want to think twice about how you spend your money. The Tennessee Department of Human Services indicated that SNAP benefits will be divided into two payments in which runs from the month of June, but this only applies to those who previously received their benefits for the month of May.
“You just have to be careful because you just don’t know what the system is going to do,” said SNAP beneficiary Trina Miller. This issue is unpredictable and stressful, that’s how Trina Miller feels after being told last month that she was to receive her SNAP benefits for the month of May earlier than usual.
“They told you to remember now that you will not receive anything in May, if you spend all your coupons, you should have made provisions to be sure of having some backup, because you received your deposits for the month of April and the month of May at the same time” Miller said.
Miller also said that after receiving the unexpected deposit, he knew not to spend it all at once.
Two Half SNAP Payments in June in Tennessee
To which he also indicated that he received an email from DHS warning him of another problem within the system, “They sent an email saying that he will receive half of his June benefits on May 24,” Miller said.
DHS then said SNAP recipients will receive the second distribution on their normally scheduled date. Officials explained that this is just a one-time schedule adjustment for benefits for the month of June.
“It’s month by month, they have a new system. What I think is that you should have everything right with the system before using it,” Miller said. School is out and summer is here, and with it the holidays. Since more children will be hungry at home, Miller also advises parents of children to be responsible with their SNAP benefits for the next month.
“There are people with several children and these children have to eat, use their benefits correctly, if you know that you may be affected, you just have to make an effort,” said Miller. DHS indicated that normal deposit schedules are expected to be regularized in the month of July. To track payments, customers are encouraged to check their EBT balance by calling 888-997-9444 or entering the portal for inquiries.
How to apply for SNAP
The application is a very simple process, although it can take some time and a bit of back and forth with the state agency, in most states there is an online portal available to citizens, which will also have the application that is You can complete and send along with all the documents that are requested and that you must present, if online is not an option, you can apply by phone, send an application by mail or appear in person at one of the local offices However, make sure you have all the necessary information available to be able to provide it when requested.
Since requirements can vary by state, it may be helpful to call ahead and ask for a specific list of documents, however, here is a list of some of the possible documents you may be asked to provide for the Study to validate if you qualify to receive SNAP benefits:
- Identity proof : Any official document that can serve to verify your name and identity should work. Having two doesn’t hurt in case your specific state requires review, the documents that will work are: driver’s license, state ID card, US passport, military ID, school ID, birth certificate, adoption records or certificate of naturalization.
- Proof of residency: Since you must apply for benefits in the state in which you reside, you will need to provide proof of residency, it is a key document to obtain benefits, since you need to prove that you live in that state, presenting a rental lease agreement, records of mortgage, voter registration card, or a letter from your landlord indicating your name and current address.
- Proof of earned income: To be sure you are eligible to be a beneficiary, your income must be below a certain threshold and you must prove it by submitting paycheck stubs, tax records, bank statements, or a letter from your employer indicating the amount of your income.
Proof of any disability: People with disabilities may be eligible for the highest benefits, so if you can demonstrate through medical records, diagnostic documentation, or a letter from a home doctor explaining the disability that you do in fact meet the condition, you and Your family can get an increase in the payment amount.