Chattanooga, TN – According to the state officials, the program reportedly offers a one-time cash payment of $500 for households of up to two people, $750 for households of three to four people, and $1,000 for households of five or more.
Households receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits with children and Families First (TANF) households in the affected counties will automatically receive Emergency Cash Assistance.
**TDHS Customers Who Automatically Qualify Include:**
– Families First (TANF) recipients in the designated counties with active cases as of September 27, 2024, that remained active as of October 1, 2024.
– Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in the designated counties with active cases as of September 27, 2024, that remained active as of October 1, 2024, who still have at least one child under age 18 in the home and meet the emergency cash assistance income guidelines.
Families First (TANF) and SNAP customers who automatically qualify will receive the one-time emergency benefit directly to their existing EBT cards during the week of October 21, 2024.
Individuals in the affected counties who are not current SNAP or Families First (TANF) participants may also qualify for Emergency Cash Assistance but must apply to determine eligibility.
**Eligibility Requirements for Emergency Cash Assistance:**
To qualify for Emergency Cash Assistance, applicants must meet the following criteria:
– Families must have a child under the age of 18 or be a pregnant woman (regardless of trimester).
– Families must meet Families First citizenship requirements.
– All household members must have a valid Social Security Number.
– Family resources must not exceed $2,000.
– Families must be unable to live in their home (or apartment) on the date the application is filed, require significant repairs due to disaster damage, or be unable to work due to workplace destruction.
– The family’s gross household income must not exceed 85% of the State’s Median Income.