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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Tennessee food aid delays could continue for two more months, official tells lawmakers

Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Clarence Carter addresses a state Senate panel Wednesday. / Tennessee Lookout Photo by John Partipilo
Tennessee Department of Human Services Commissioner Clarence Carter addresses a state Senate panel Wednesday. / Tennessee Lookout Photo by John Partipilo


Leaders of the Tennessee Department of Human Services told lawmakers Wednesday that it could take another two more months before the state’s SNAP program is running smoothly again.

An overhaul of agency software last summer has led to lengthy backlogs in processing requests for the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

The program has been beset by glitches, lengthy phone and in-office wait times — advocates have called it “chaos” — that have prevented tens of thousands of Tennessee families from accessing the critical food aid, commonly referred to as “food stamps.”

(READ MORE: Veering from Republican-led states, Tennessee opts into summer food program for kids)