Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) offers two fundamental programs aimed to increase the living standards of needy families, the elderly, the disabled, and unemployed people. These state family assisting projects are known as TANF (Families First) and SNAP plans.
Both programs require an application and an interview. Also, the applicants need to submit the following required documentation:
After proving their qualification, the participants get privilege payments to maintain healthy nutrition and better quality of life.
FF program is included in Tennessee’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families plan and is dedicated to establishing the person’s development and potential via employment programs, child support assistance, medical and educational support, professional job training projects, and temporary monetary assistance. The privilege allows acquiring benefits for a maximum of 60 months.
To qualify for the FF program, the applicants should meet the requirements and technical standards provided by the state. Also, the participants should follow a Personal Responsibility Plan, which covers childcare liabilities and work or training participation for 30 hours (or more) a week.
Potential participants apply for privileges online or by mail at a local DHS office. All monetary benefits are transacted to the participant’s EBT or Benefit Security card. There are certain restrictions to card usage, including the purchase of tobacco and smoking accessories. If the cardholder violates the program rules on purpose, they can be barred from FF or fined.
SNAP, traditionally recognized as the “Food Stamps” program, is devoted to providing the necessary health, nutrition, and food support to needy families, unemployed people, the disabled, and the elderly who have low earnings. The SNAP serves to maintain people’s health, nutrition and decrease hunger.
SNAP assistance is transacted electronically to EBT or Benefit Security cards. Potential participants may fill out the DHS Family Assistance Application to claim privileges. To obtain more SNAP benefits, the applicant should provide proof for the following expenses:
SNAP makes it possible to acquire the needed provision online via Amazon, Walmart, Instacart, and ALDI at Tennessee stores and locations.
In the next section of our survey, we will lead you through the process of completing the DHS Family Assistance application for Tennessee residents who wish to prove their qualification for the program.
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Completing the DHS Family Assistance (FA) Application might be challenging, as the document contains many detailed recommendations for submitting. Though the organization states to accept the paper even if the declarant submits no information but the name, signature, and mailing address, it is highly advisable to provide accurate and full data to increase the chances of getting the privileges.
We encourage you to use our software to generate a PDF file and print out the required document. Below you will find an illustrated step-by-step guide that will lead you through the process, explaining every challenging aspect.
Also, if you reasonably need professional assistance, the Tennessee Department of Human Services provides free help for applicants with disabilities and language captivity.
The document consists of the Family Assistance Application itself and the Application Addendum, which lists the requirements, rules, and fundamental data on how to apply successfully. Keep the Addendum (Statement of Understanding), as the paper contains all necessary contact data and program clauses. If you feel that the caseworkers were unfair towards you, please, don’t hesitate and get professional advice by reaching the FA Service Center.
Once you have downloaded the needed template, please, leave the below-referenced box blank and proceed with the identification section.
The applicant for the Families First or SNAP programs should introduce themselves and submit the following data:
Here, the applicant should enter the street and room number, city, domiciliary state, and ZIP. If your mailing address differs from the home location, ensure to fill out both.
Select the Family Assistance privilege you apply for. Check the preferred alternative.
Checkbox the appropriate variant by selecting “Yes” or “No.”
Complete the provided table with the data needed for rendering the decision about your qualification. The applicant should provide the following data:
List the family members in your household and also include yourself. If you need extra space, you may use an additional sheet of paper and file the attachment together with the application form.
Insert “Yes” or “No” if the person from the afore-mentioned list is claiming the privileges.
Social Security Number is needed if the applicant or anybody from their household claim for benefits. Tennessee DHS checks the applicants’ background and tax data. Still, if the individual doesn’t wish to apply for privileges, leave the line blank opposite their name. Also, you need to specify if the person is a US citizen.
Fill out the gender of all persons listed in the first column.
Completing these two sections is optional. The Department of Human Services requests these data to eliminate the possibility of human rights violations based on ethnicity or race factors. Follow the instructions referenced above the table to render the info.
Specify each adult’s marital status. You have several options to insert — single, married, divorced, separated, or widowed.
Complete the table by providing the necessary info in the last three columns. Insert the date of birth and checkbox the slot if anybody on the list is pregnant or disabled.
To authorize the application, the candidate should append their signature and place the current calendar date.
If the applicant can only cross the signature slot, they need to have the process witnessed that the paper is acknowledged voluntarily by the applicant. Let the witness append their signature and indicate the date.
If the paper is signed by a guardian or a legal representative, let them specify their name, provide the authorization, and define the calendar date.
On the second page of the Family Assistance Application, you need to complete the survey.
This box should be completed only by applicants who claim to participate in the Families First program. Review the clause and prove your consent by signature and current date.
Here, the applicants who claim the Families First assistance need to comply with or reject the clause regarding child support and Books from Birth disclosure.
In case you wish to have a certified copy of the application, select “Yes.” Also, specify whether you want a paper copy or an electronic one.
Following the programs’ rules, you may have one or two representatives to sign the paper on your behalf. List their name(s) on the corresponding lines.
At the right top corner of the page, the applicant can find the SNAP (Food Stamp) clauses violating which one will be declined to have the benefits. Fill out the questionnaire providing valid, accurate facts. Read the statements and answer “Yes” or “No,” relying on your background.
Regardless of having the registration or not, you may apply for the privileges. Answer the questions in a “Yes-No” format.
Complete the income type chart entering the names of all households who receive taxable income. List the names, sources, and amounts of earnings per month. After that, you need to complete the blank lines right below the table, entering the liquid assets.
Submit your childcare expenses if applicable.
Here, you are welcome to describe the rent and community facilities payments per month.
In this unit, you can submit monthly medical costs that include such services as insurance and prescriptions. List the type and amount you spend monthly.
If you are liable for paying alimony or child support expenses, please include the required data on the blank lines, specifying the child’s name and the payment amount.
Individuals who apply to participate in Tennessee DHS Family Assistance programs should understand that all data provided in the application must be authentic and valid. Should the applicant submit false info purposefully, it may result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines up to 250,000 USD, and permanent disqualification from the assistance plans.
Once all required documents and attachments are filled out, the applicant may submit the papers via mail, fax, or delivery service at a local county DHS office. Also, you can apply online on the DHS official website faonlineapp.dhs.tn.gov/.
