Income Guidelines for Food Stamp Eligibility in Tennessee

Tennessee provides assistance to its citizens who are unable to meet financial hurdles to provide nutritious meals for themselves. Although income restrictions are the primary qualifier for inclusion in the state's food stamp program, applicants must also be residents of Tennessee, a citizen or qualifying alien and have a valid Social Security number or proof of having applied for one.

Maximum Gross Income Restrictions

• Tennessee follows federal guidelines on food stamp eligibility. The federal government sets gross and net income restrictions each year in October based on its measurement of the poverty level. Gross income standards are set at 185 percent of the federal poverty level and are dependent upon household size. As of November 2010, a household of one must have a gross income of less than $1,174, and a family of four's gross income can't exceed $2,389; a household of eight must have earnings less than $4,010.

Maximum Net Income Restrictions

• Applicants who meet maximum gross income requirements must also meet federally defined net income restrictions to participate in Tennessee's food stamp program. These levels are set at 100 percent of the federally defined poverty level. For a one-person household, net income -- defined as gross income less 20 percent of earnings, medical expenses and housing costs -- must not exceed $903 a month to qualify. Each additional member of the household raises this threshold by $312.

Definition of Countable Income

• The Tennessee Department of Human Services counts only certain streams of income toward gross and maximum income calculations. These include wages, Social Security income, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, child support payments, worker's compensation claims and pensions. Student loans and grants, heating assistance and reimbursements don't qualify as countable income.

Resource Tests

• Households that meet income restrictions to qualify for Tennessee food stamps must also clear a resource test that ensures households with significant financial holdings don't qualify for the program. The state assesses the value of household resources, including savings and the value of automobiles and real property. Households with more than $2,000 in assets don't qualify for food stamps; that restriction is raised to $3,000 for homes with a member over the age of 60.

Unemployment and Food Stamps

• Unemployed family members may qualify for inclusion in the Tennessee food stamp program, but they must be registered for work and, as per unemployment benefit requirements, must be immediately available to begin work if a job is offered.