A new lawsuit claims Tennessee mismanaged federal food aid, harming low-income families in the process
Nashville: A new lawsuit is shaking things up in Tennessee. It claims the state’s Department of Human Services is messing up the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which helps low-income families.
People in Tennessee are struggling. They’re facing eviction and going hungry because of delays and lost paperwork. The lawsuit, filed by nearly a dozen folks, says the state isn’t processing applications and appeals on time.
The plaintiffs want a federal judge to step in and hold Tennessee accountable. They argue that the state is breaking the SNAP Act, which has clear timelines for processing benefits.
According to the lawsuit, when the state drops the ball, people suffer. They either go hungry, skip meals, or have to rely on friends, family, or food banks to get by. Some even have to choose between buying food and paying rent.
One plaintiff, Brandi Tapia, had a tough time. DHS lost her paperwork and denied her benefits, even though she submitted the required paystub multiple times. She eventually got her benefits back, but by then, she and her son had already been evicted.
The lawsuit highlights how DHS often mishandles documents and even terminates applications without proper interviews. It’s a real mess, and the state hasn’t commented on the lawsuit yet.
