Hundreds of Thousands of Tennesseans Will Lose Access to Food Assistance on November 1st

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is an essential resource for those who struggle to put food on the table. If the government shutdown continues, SNAP recipients will lose access to food assistance in November.

The government shutdown began on October 1st, and there are no signs that it will end any time soon. The Tennessee Department of Human Services created a page about the shutdown stating that if the shutdown continues, federally-funded SNAP benefits for November will be unavailable. 

Even if the shutdown does end before the end of October, the beginning of November marks the beginning of new updates to work requirements for SNAP benefits that will result in many of our friends losing access to food assistance. These work requirements are in place for all Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) who:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 65

• Do not have a disability

• Do not live with children under 14

The work requirements state that all ABAWDs who fit the criteria may only receive SNAP benefits for three months in a three year period unless they work, volunteer, or participate in a job training program for 20 hours per week.

While previously exempt from work requirements, individuals experiencing homelessness will no longer be exempt. Stringent requirements such as these are yet another barrier to vulnerable individuals having their most basic needs met. It is extremely difficult to maintain employment while experiencing homelessness and should never be a reason why a person does not have food to eat. 

These work requirements are simply not feasible for many folks experiencing homelessness for a variety of reasons such as reliable transportation, shelter curfews, and consistent access to laundry and shower services to name a few. Our unhoused neighbors are trying to survive while they wait to come up for housing and cutting off access to food sources makes that even more difficult. It is cruel and unnecessary.

Let’s be clear: without access to these benefits, people will go hungry. In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, people should not be hungry. More and more people are being pushed into poverty and dire circumstances by egregious policy failure. It is unacceptable for food resources to become less accessible. 

We are prepared to meet this need and show up for our friends. We will be providing grocery store gift cards and delivering food bags for those who need them. Stay tuned for any coming asks from us. Until then, here are some ways to take action in the community...

Take action!

• Donate food to local pantries and food banks!

• Share resources for free food boxes and meals! Hand out Where to Turn in Nashville guides and share the virtual guide at wttin.org.

• Stay informed! Follow Tennessee Justice Center to stay up to date on this situation as it continues to unfold.