Tennessee bill would require the state to apply annually for federal Summer EBT benefits

A proposal aimed at restoring summer grocery benefits for eligible children

Legislation introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly would require the state to participate each year in a federal program that provides grocery-buying benefits to families with school-aged children who have low incomes when school is out for the summer. The proposal would make annual participation mandatory in any year the program is offered by the federal government, rather than leaving the decision to the governor’s administration.

The federal initiative is commonly known as Summer EBT or SUN Bucks. It provides food benefits during the summer months, when many children who receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year lose consistent access to school breakfast and lunch.

What the bill does and where it stands

The measure is filed as HB 1835 / SB 1911 and would amend state law to require Tennessee to submit the necessary application and take required steps to operate the summer benefit program in any year it is available. The bill’s text states it would take effect immediately upon becoming law.

As of early March 2026, the Senate version had advanced through committees in both the House and Senate, moving the proposal closer to floor votes.

How Summer EBT works in Tennessee

When Tennessee participates, eligible households receive a grocery benefit on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which can be used at authorized retailers for food purchases. Program rules tie eligibility to existing assistance systems and school nutrition participation.

• Some children are automatically eligible based on household participation in programs such as SNAP, TANF, or Medicaid.
• Other children may qualify based on household income and school-meal eligibility, depending on how the state administers certification.

Tennessee operated Summer EBT for the 2023–24 academic year cycle, and the state’s human services agency has published program guidance describing eligibility categories and an application process for families not automatically enrolled.

Recent policy context: participation decisions and administrative costs

Tennessee did not operate the full federal Summer EBT program for summer 2025. Instead, the state implemented a separate, limited summer nutrition payment initiative that provided a one-time $120 benefit to families in 15 counties beginning in mid-June 2025.

Debate over rejoining the federal program has centered on administrative responsibilities and the state share of program administration. Federal requirements include state-level administrative work to coordinate data from schools and assistance programs, issue benefits, and resolve household disputes and address updates.

At issue in 2026 is whether Tennessee will be required by law to participate in the federal summer grocery benefit program whenever it is available, regardless of changes in administration or budget priorities.

What happens next

If the bill passes and is signed into law, Tennessee would be legally obligated to pursue annual participation in Summer EBT going forward. A separate, unresolved question is whether Tennessee can still secure federal approval for summer 2026 benefits given federal timelines that generally require states to opt in by a specified deadline.