Department of Human Services Connects People With Jobs Ahead of Deadline

Sevierville – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is taking another step this week to connect recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as Food Stamps) in East Tennessee with meaningful work.

On Wednesday, TDHS will co-sponsor a career, education and resource fair in Sevierville.  This event is designed to connect job seekers with employment, volunteer and education resources, including job search, resume writing, interviewing skills, college preparation, along with career planning and development. The Resource Fair is hosted in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the Mobile American Job Center.

The career fair follows September’s announcement that work requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) who receive SNAP benefits will be reinstated in an additional 70 counties, including Sevier, Blount, Jefferson and Cocke. This resource fair specifically targets individuals in these affected counties.

Beginning February 1, 2018, the ABAWD designation will require these ABAWD SNAP recipients to:

•      Work a minimum of 20 hours a week;

•      Participate in an approved volunteer program 20 hours a week;

•      Study or train 20 hours a week in an approved educational activities activity.

Wednesday's event will be the 6^th career/resource fair TDHS has held across the state since the announcement this fall and more events are scheduled throughout this spring.

“Our work in establishing partnerships to connect people with employment and educational opportunities is an essential component of the DHS mission,” said TDHS Commissioner Danielle W. Barnes.  “Meaningful employment opportunities are the first step to improving the strength of our citizens and building strong communities.  When we have strong citizens and communities, we create a thriving Tennessee.”

SNAP provides nutritional assistance benefits to roughly one million people in Tennessee. The program helps supplement the monthly food budgets of families with low-income to buy the food they need, maintain good health and allow them to use more of their income for essential living expenses.

You are invited to cover Wednesday’s event.

When: Wednesday, January 31st

Where: 815 Dolly Parton Parkway

       Sevierville, Tennessee

Time:    11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices.   

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CONTACT:  Sky Arnold

OFFICE: 615-313-5551

CELL:  615-450-4107