Why Your Tennessee SNAP Deposit Was 45% — And What Happens Before Feb 23

Residents in Tennessee counties impacted by Winter Storm Fern have begun receiving automatic deposits to their EBT cards this week. For many households, the amount is significantly lower than a full monthly allotment, causing confusion about whether the remaining balance will follow.

The partial deposit is the result of a federal Mass Replacement waiver approved by the USDA. Under this specific authorization, the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is automatically replacing 45% of the January 2026 SNAP benefit for eligible households in the disaster zone.

If your household lost food exceeding this 45% value, the automatic payment is not the final step. Additional replacement requires filing an individual affidavit by Monday, February 23, 2026.

Understanding the 45% Calculation

The mass replacement waiver allows states to bypass the standard individual verification process for widespread disasters. Instead of processing thousands of separate claims, TDHS received approval to issue a flat percentage to all active SNAP households in the affected counties.

This calculation is based on the household’s total monthly allotment for January, not the current balance on the EBT card at the time of the storm.

For example, a household receiving $500 monthly would see an automatic deposit of approximately $225. This payment is issued regardless of whether the household reported a loss, provided they reside in one of the declared counties.

Eligibility for Additional Replacement

The automatic payment is designed to provide immediate relief. However, households that experienced spoilage affecting their entire food supply, or any amount greater than 45% are entitled to the full value of the lost food, up to their total monthly benefit.

To receive the remaining balance, the head of household must submit Form HS-3003 (Affidavit Request for SNAP Replacements Due to Household Misfortune). This form serves as a sworn statement that the actual dollar value of food lost due to the power outage exceeds the amount already replaced automatically.

Households that already filed an individual affidavit and received a 100% replacement prior to the mass issuance will not receive a second payment.

The Impacted Counties

The 45% mass replacement applies only to active SNAP households in the counties designated under the disaster declaration. Please check the official TDHS announcement for the full list of eligible counties.

Residents in counties not listed in the official declaration are not eligible for the automatic mass replacement but may still file individual affidavits if they can prove verified power outages of 12 hours or more.

Filing Form HS-3003 Before the Deadline

The window to request additional funds closes at the end of the business day on Monday, February 23, 2026. Affidavits received after this date will not be processed for disaster replacement.

Submission Methods:

• One DHS Customer Portal: Residents can complete and submit the affidavit digitally at OneDHS.tn.gov. This method provides immediate confirmation of receipt.
• In-Person Filing: Paper copies of Form HS-3003 can be dropped off at any local TDHS county office.
• Upload: Documents can also be uploaded directly through the “Upload Documents” feature on the One DHS mobile site.

Processing times for individual affidavits typically range from 10 to 14 days due to the high volume of disaster-related claims.

Check Your Deposit Before Monday

Households who saw an unexpected mid-month deposit should compare it against their January allotment before assuming another payment is coming. If the amount received is roughly half of your typical benefit, that is likely the specific 45% mass replacement.

If that cash covers the grocery loss, no further action is needed. However, if the actual value of spoiled food was higher, do not wait for a second deposit. The only way to trigger the remaining balance is to file Form HS-3003 by February 23. If the deadline passes without an affidavit, the replacement will remain at the 45% automatic amount.