Let’s coordinate, share ideas, and learn from our individual customer groups on how we can work together to better serve Tennessee’s low-income families.

We are halfway through 2026, and we have almost made it through the Tennessee summer heat which I think is an accomplishment we all deserve to celebrate. With cooler days (hopefully) on the horizon, it's the perfect time to take a breath and refocus on what lies ahead.

As we look toward the remainder of the year, our priorities at TDHS are clear. We remain committed to lowering Tennessee's SNAP payment error rate, ensuring every customer receives timely and accurate benefits, and embracing innovative technology to improve how we serve Tennesseans. At the same time, we are continuing to advance our agency's broader mission and objectives by investing in talented employees who will help shape the future of our department while strengthening our service delivery to help propel more Tennesseans toward self-sufficiency.

Recently, the federal government released Tennessee's FY25 SNAP payment error rate of 9.44%. While this is an improvement over previous years and remains below the national average of 10.62%, we know there is still work to do. Our goal is to continue driving that number down to strengthen program integrity, improve customer service, and ensure benefits reach the families who depend on them.

Over the past three years, TDHS has made significant investments in technology, workforce development, and policy improvements to support this effort. Those investments are making a difference, and our progress will not stop here.

Every phone call answered, application processed, policy improved, training completed, and innovation implemented moves us one step closer to our shared mission of strengthening Tennessee by strengthening Tennesseans. As we continue to work toward progress for the remainder of this year and lowering our SNAP payment error rate, let’s remember to stay focused on our mission as an agency and work together to deliver excellent service, embrace new opportunities, and continue making a meaningful impact for the people we serve. Thank you TDHS staff, and to our valued community partners for everything you do to help us better serve Tennesseans across the state. Your work is deeply appreciated.

Have you downloaded the new ebtEDGE Mobile App? If not, TDHS strongly recommends that customers download the new mobile app which has an updated logo and features to help customers protect their benefits from fraud.

With ebtEDGE, customers can check available balances, review recent transactions, and get account and card information they may need when shopping. Customers can also find nearby stores that accept EBT, access support resources, and manage certain card settings. The app also gives customers greater control over their accounts, including:

The ebtEDGE mobile app also allows customers to securely log in using Touch ID or facial recognition, eliminating the need to manually enter a user ID and password.

The new ebtEDGE mobile app is free and available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store using the new icon below:

For more information, please visit: https://www.fisglobal.com/ebtedgemobile.

Following a federal court ruling on June 20, 2026, implementation of the Healthy SNAP Tennessee pilot program has been halted. As a result of this decision the state has suspended implementation of the Healthy SNAP Tennessee program, which had been scheduled to begin on July 31, 2026. 

At this time, customers can continue to use their SNAP benefits as normal for all food purchases at any authorized SNAP retailer. Please know that we will continue to provide updates on the TDHS website here: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices.html as we receive more information from our federal partners.

As part of our ongoing efforts to improve the customer experience, we continue to add new enhancements to the One DHS Customer Portal. The portal offers seamless access to all TDHS programs and services in one convenient location.

Using the One DHS Customer Portal, customers can:

By integrating more programs into the portal and enhancing existing tools, we aim to reduce barriers, improve response times, and ensure that customers can connect with the help they need more efficiently.

To visit the One DHS Customer Portal, click here.

This year, the sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, August 2, 2026. Tennessee’s annual sales tax holiday has been in place for two decades. The first annual sales tax holiday happened in 2006.

During the holiday weekend, clothing and school supplies priced at $100 or less may be purchased tax-free. Computers priced at $1,500 or less may also be purchased without paying state or local sales tax, saving Tennesseans nearly 10 percent on qualifying purchases. Items sold online are eligible, and all purchases must be for personal use, not for business or trade. 

The sales tax holiday applies to many back-to-school items, including shirts, pants, shoes, dresses, binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, computers, and tablets. However, some items do not qualify, such as jewelry, handbags, sports and recreational equipment, computer software sold separately, printer supplies, and household appliances. 

Tennesseans are encouraged to review the list of qualifying items before they shop.

Visit the Department of Revenue’s sales tax holiday page, www.tntaxholiday.com,  for more information, including lists of exempt and taxable items. If you have questions, you can also call 615-253-0600 or email revenue.support@tn.gov. 

What: Public Hearing for Social Services Block Grant 

A public hearing to offer comments on Tennessee’s Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) application has been scheduled for August 19, 2026. The SSBG plan can be found on the TDHS Social Services Block Grant website.

 

When: August 19, 2026, 11:00am CT

Where: In-Person: DHS Office Murfreesboro, 1711B Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37128

 

Online: Webex Webinar number: 2311 471 3082  

Webinar password: HbYHJA8aQ46

To join this online event:

Public Comments can additionally be submitted through August 26, 2026, via email to Rhonda.L.Barnes@tn.gov or by phone at 615-223-8284.

What: Parents and Partners Connect – Child Support

A virtual question and answer session with Child Support professionals from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. These online sessions are an opportunity for Tennessee parents to get answers about Child Support Services from TDHS with topics including services offered by the TDHS, case classifications, the parties involved in child support, the application processes, and problem-solving.

 

If you’re new to child support in Tennessee or have questions about related services, this is a great opportunity to ask questions with experts.

 

When: August 27, 2026, 4:00pm - 5:00pm CT

Where: Online; Register Here

 

At TDHS, we are consistently looking for dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who are eager to make a meaningful difference in our state. If you are interested in joining our team, please review new career opportunities on our website.

Detailed listings on all open positions (Preferred and Executive Service) can be found at https://www.tn.gov/careers/apply-here.html. Preferred Service job postings through the Tennessee Department of Human Resources (DOHR) open on Thursday and close on the following Wednesday evening at 11:59 pm CST, depending on the length of the requisition.

Operations

Executive Administrative Assistant 2
Davidson County – 79502 (Closing Date 8/3/2026)

 

Child Care and Community Services

APS Regional Supervisor
Warren County – 79133 (Closing Date 8/3/2026)

DHS PROGRAM DIRECTOR 4 
Rutherford County (Statewide) – 79704 (Closing Date 8/17/2026)        

  

Family Assistance and Child Support

Eligibility Counselor 1*
Wilson County – 79259 (2) (Closing Date 8/3/2026)   

 

Quality Improvement and Strategic Solutions

Executive Administrative Assistant 1
Davidson County – 79556 (Closing Date 8/10/2026)

 

Rehabilitation Services

DHS Vocational Trainer
Rutherford County - 79221 (Closing Date 8/3/2026)

 

DHS Program Manager
Davidson County - 79219 (Closing Date 8/3/2026)               

 

DHS Program Specialist
Maury County (SW) – 79261 (Closing Date 8/3/2026)

 

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Masters
Montgomery County - 79195 (Closing Date 8/3/2026)  

This Newsletter will be distributed on the last Wednesday of each month, and we kindly ask that all news be approved by leadership and submitted at least three weeks in advance.

Let’s coordinate, share ideas, and learn from our individual customer groups on how we can work together to better serve Tennessee’s low-income families.

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