NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Now that America’s economy has largely bounced back from the Great Recession of 2008, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits may be harder to come by in Tennessee, according to the Legal Aid Society of Middle TN.

January 1, 2016 marked the return of time limits to SNAP benefits, formerly known as “food stamps,” in the state.

The time limits didn’t apply over the past few years because of the severity of the economic downturn. But effective now, adults between the ages of 18 and 49 are limited by law to three months – whether or not consecutively – of SNAP benefits in any 36-month period unless the individual is exempt or working 80 hours in a month.

More than 40 states implemented the time limit. And Like Tennessee, 22 other states will be implementing the time limit for the first time since before the recession.

However, there are exceptions under the law which may allow people to seek benefits for more than three months.

Exemptions

Individuals who have exhausted their three months of SNAP eligibility will continue to be eligible for SNAP benefits if they meet an exemption. Under federal law, an individual is exempt from the new SNAP time limits if they are:

1. Under age 18 or over age 49
2. Living with their child or someone else’s child who is under age 18
3. Caring for someone who cannot care for themself
4. Physically or mentally unfit for employment
5. Pregnant
6. Regularly participating in a drug or alcohol treatment program
7. Enrolled at least half-time in a school or training program
8. Participating in a Families First work activity
9. Enrolled in an employment or training program
10. Volunteering 80 or more hours in a month
11. Currently earning an average of $217.50 per week
12. Receiving unemployment pay or applying for unemployment and following the unemployment work program rules
13. Meeting another good cause preventing work

Those who received SNAP benefits on January 1, 2016, do not meet one of the exemptions listed above, and are not working 80 hours or more in a month, will lose SNAP benefits on March 31, 2016 for three years.

Individuals can regain eligibility during the remainder of the three-year period by working at least 80 hours or more in a month or meeting an exemption.

If you meet the exemptions, contact your local county Department of Human Service office (DHS) and show proof why your SNAP benefits should not be cut off after March 2016.

DHS will not send a written letter before it stops SNAP benefits. To locate the DHS office in your county, call the DHS Family Assistance Service Center at 1-866-311-4287 (Toll free) or go to https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/topic/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap.

For a free brochure on the SNAP Time Limits, you can go to http://www.las.org/booklets/money_problems/foodstamps.