SNAP and food help for older adults in Tennessee

SNAP for people 60 and over

SNAP (food stamps) is run by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS). There is no age limit. If anyone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, these rules apply:

What counts and what does not

• Counted income: Social Security, SSI, pensions, disability benefits and workers' compensation.
• Not counted as resources: IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement accounts. A car worth less than a set amount, or one used to carry a disabled household member, is not counted.
• Medical costs you can deduct for a 60+ or disabled member include doctor and hospital bills, prescriptions, health insurance and Medicare premiums, and costs to get to medical care. Keep your receipts.

Tennessee does not run a shortened SNAP application project for older adults, so you use the regular application.

How to apply for SNAP

1. Online: One DHS Customer Portal at https://onedhs.tn.gov/csp, any time. Uploading papers here can speed things up.
2. By phone: One DHS Contact Center, 1-833-772-8347 (TTY 711).
3. In person: your county DHS Family Assistance office.
4. By mail: send copies (not originals) of papers to Family Assistance Division, Department of Human Services, P.O. Box 620001, Memphis, TN 38181.

Bring or send: a photo ID, proof of where you live, proof of income such as award letters, and proof of medical and housing costs.

Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): monthly food boxes

The Tennessee Department of Health runs CSFP. It gives low-income seniors a monthly package of U.S.-grown food.

Who qualifies:

• Age 60 or older
• Live in Davidson, Dyer or Shelby County
• Income at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines

How to apply: contact a local CSFP office.

• Davidson County: Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, (615) 329-3491. Pick-up sites include Catholic Charities North Nashville (615-242-1554), Catholic Charities Pastoral Center (615-352-3087), Hillcrest United Methodist Church (615-832-0157) and Martha O'Bryan Center (615-254-1791).
• Dyer County: CSFP Warehouse, 325 S. Mill Ave, Dyersburg, (731) 286-7823.
• Shelby County: CSFP Warehouse, 1020 S. Bellevue Blvd, Memphis, (901) 222-9750.

You can get CSFP and SNAP at the same time.

Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

This program gives checks for fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs grown in Tennessee.

• Who qualifies: You are 60 or older, live in a county that offers it, and have income at or below 130% of the poverty guidelines.
• What you get: eight checks of $5 each per year.
• Where: Davidson, Dyer and Shelby counties (seniors on CSFP also get the checks), plus Hamblen and Warren counties.

How to sign up: call the contact for your county.

Senior meals

Anyone 60 or older, and their spouse, can eat at more than 150 group meal sites across Tennessee. Home-delivered meals are for people who are ill or have trouble getting food. There is no set charge, and donations are welcome. Call your Area Agency on Aging and Disability at 1-866-836-6678.

After you apply for SNAP

• Answer every DHS letter by its due date, and send any proof DHS asks for.
• Renew on time. DHS will tell you when your benefits need to be renewed.
• Report changes in income or address through the One DHS Customer Portal or 1-833-772-8347.
• If you are denied or your benefits are cut, your notice explains how to ask for a fair hearing and the deadline. Ask quickly.

Things people miss

• Many older adults leave out medical costs. Deducting them can raise your benefit.
• Retirement accounts do not count against the SNAP resource limit.
• CSFP and the farmers market checks are separate from SNAP. You can get them even if you do not get SNAP.

Free help

• Area Agency on Aging and Disability: 1-866-836-6678 (meals, benefits help)
• One DHS Contact Center: 1-833-772-8347

See all benefits in Tennessee and SSI.

Phone numbers: Free help lines for Tennessee agencies

Check what you may qualify for