Tennessee Hit With Major SNAP Benefits Class Action Lawsuit
Tennessee's failure to process Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, within the required 30-day window has left countless families facing hunger and eviction. One mother of three waited 60-90 days for her appeal, consequently receiving $4,281 in back payments for improperly withheld benefits. This delay in timely benefits has severely impacted low-income households across the state.
As a result of these systemic failures, we're now seeing a major Tennessee SNAP benefits lawsuit against the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS). The legal action highlights serious issues, including lost paperwork, mishandled documents, and benefit terminations without proper interviews. This lawsuit represents a critical moment for SNAP benefits administration in Tennessee, as families continue struggling with food insecurity while waiting for their applications to be processed.
Federal Law Violations in Tennessee SNAP Program
According to federal law, the Tennessee Department of Human Services must adhere to the 30-day processing requirement for SNAP applications. Furthermore, for households qualifying for expedited service, benefits must be provided within seven days.
We have found that Tennessee's DHS, under the leadership of Commissioner Clarence Carter, has committed several significant federal law violations:
Failing to schedule interviews promptly within the mandated 30-day window
Mishandling vital documentation and losing paperwork
Terminating benefit applications without conducting required interviews
Denying benefits despite having received required documentation
Specifically, in one documented case, DHS denied benefits to an applicant for allegedly failing to submit a paystub, though evidence later showed the department had received the document three separate times. This improper denial highlights the severity of the issue.
Moreover, these violations have triggered a class action lawsuit filed in federal court. The legal action specifically targets the state's persistent failure to determine SNAP eligibility within federally mandated timeframes. The lawsuit seeks to hold Tennessee accountable for these systematic failures that have resulted in significant hardships for low-income households.
The Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 explicitly requires that eligible households receive their SNAP benefits within the specified timeframes. When states fail to meet these requirements, the Food and Nutrition Service can implement escalation processes, beginning with warning letters and potentially putting federal funds at risk.
Impact on Tennessee Families
The human cost of Tennessee's SNAP benefits crisis has been particularly severe for families across the state. In fact, there are numerous cases where administrative failures have forced families to make impossible choices between food and other essential needs.
One striking example involves a Knoxville mother of three who experienced the harsh reality of these systemic failures. After being wrongfully denied benefits, she ultimately received $4,281 in back payments. Nevertheless, during the waiting period, her family had to:
Skip meals regularly
Rely on food banks for basic sustenance
Redirect Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds meant for other expenses to buy food
Face homelessness by August 2024
Additionally, we've documented cases where families have faced eviction due to these delays. In one notable instance, a mother had to choose between feeding her son and paying rent, ultimately losing her housing. This situation has particularly affected the homeless population, who rely heavily on this food assistance program.
Currently, the impact extends beyond individual families. The state has approximately 35,000 SNAP applications that are more than 30 days old. This backlog has created a ripple effect, particularly affecting children's well-being. We've observed that families are increasingly turning to local food banks and organizations like Open Table Nashville, stretching these community resources thin.
The situation became even more challenging for residents in certain counties affected by Hurricane Helene, though the state did implement emergency measures to provide replacement benefits. These families received 65% of their September 2024 SNAP benefits automatically to address food losses due to power outages and flooding.
Systemic Issues at Tennessee DHS
Our investigation into Tennessee's Department of Human Services reveals widespread administrative dysfunction in SNAP benefits management. Presently, the department faces criticism for what officials describe as "persistent and systemic failures" in determining benefit eligibility.
The scope of these administrative shortcomings is substantial. Overall, more than 30,000 Tennesseans have filed appeals since 2023. Subsequently, those appealing their cases face an average wait time of 129 days - more than four times longer than federal requirements. This prolonged appeal process has left many families without access to their EBT cards and essential food assistance.
Altogether, these issues point to fundamental problems in the department's operational structure. In one notable instance, DHS denied benefits to an applicant after misplacing documentation of an interview, undoubtedly highlighting the severity of their document management issues.
The department's inefficiencies have created a backlog that continues to grow. Undeniably, these administrative failures have forced many Tennessee residents to navigate an increasingly complex and unreliable system, often resulting in wrongful denials and extended periods without essential nutrition assistance.
Conclusion
Tennessee's SNAP benefits crisis represents a critical failure of the state's social safety net. The documented cases of families waiting 60-90 days for benefits, coupled with over 35,000 backlogged applications, paint a stark picture of administrative dysfunction in the Families First program, Tennessee's version of SNAP.
The Tennessee SNAP benefits lawsuit against the Department of Human Services therefore marks a crucial step toward accountability. Above all, this legal action aims to address the persistent violations of federal law, including missed deadlines, lost documentation, and improper benefit terminations.
As reported by The Contributor, a Nashville-based street newspaper, the ongoing eligibility delays and improper denials have pushed many families to the brink. The lawsuit seeks to ensure that administrative judges overseeing the appeal process are held accountable for timely decisions, and that the expedited process for urgent cases is properly implemented.