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Subject: Tennessee Summer Nutrition Initiative

Policy 24.31

Date of Last Review: 05/26/2026 Effective Date: 06/01/2026 Date of Next Review: 05/26/2029 RDA: SW22 Page 2 of 4 Eligibility Qualifying families will receive a one-time payment of $120.00 for each eligible school-aged child. 1. The child must be included in an open and active SNAP and/or Families First case as of May 31, 2026. Cases where the certification period ends on May 31, 2026 are eligible. 2. The child must be included in a SNAP and/or Families First case which is designated in the Eligibility Benefits Management System (EBMS) as residing in Bledsoe, Cannon, Clay, DeKalb, Fentress, Hancock, Humphreys, Jackson, Lewis, Marshall, Moore, Sequatchie, and Smith Counties as of May 31, 2026. 3. The child must be at least five (5) years old but not older than eighteen (18) years old as of May 1, 2026. Children whose birthdates fall between May 2, 2007 and May 1, 2021 are eligible. Children must meet all eligibility criteria to receive a TSNI benefit. No application is required to receive a TSNI benefit, nor will TDHS accept applications to facilitate issuance of benefits. Each eligible child will automatically receive the benefit via their household’s existing EBT card. Issuance A one-time benefit will be automatically issued to each eligible child’s household’s existing EBT account in June 2026. The household will receive the benefit in a lump sum payment for all eligible children in the household. FIS, the State’s current EBT vendor, has confirmed the State’s proposed issuance timeline. Issuance will be documented in case notes for all households receiving a TSNI benefit. Notification to Customers TDHS will generate and mail notices of the issuance to each household with at least one eligible child. Each notice will include information about eligibility criteria and the timeframe to file an appeal. Beneficiaries will also receive automated text message notifications regarding the issuance. Program Violations TDHS will make reasonable efforts to detect over-issuances and improper payments. These efforts will include utilizing established methods and channels to receive tips, complaints, and referrals regarding TSNI activity. TDHS will coordinate with relevant state agencies and local authorities for case data collection and analysis, conduct follow up inquiries as appropriate, and pursue claims as appropriate. Appeals Appeals concerning TSNI benefits must be filed within thirty (30) days of benefit issuance to be considered timely. Appeals will only be accepted from clients who allege meeting the eligibility requirements below: