Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1240 - Human Services
Subtitle 1240-01 - Family Assistance Division
Chapter 1240-01-12 - Rights and Responsibilities
Section 1240-01-12-.03 - AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION

(a) Official Policy Instructions. Tennessee Family Assistance Plan of Operation, Federal Procedures, Tennessee Department of Human Services Family Assistance Manuals and supplemental instructions issued for use in serving households applying for AFDC or Food Stamps shall be issued to all staff involved in the determination of eligibility for such assistance and shall be maintained in the county and state offices of DHS for examination by the public on regular work days during regular office hours.

(b) Availability of State and Federal Instructions to the Public. Copies of the Family Assistance Manual are made available to public custodians who request the manual for use by the public, are centrally located, and publicly accessible to a substantial number of the recipient population, and agree to accept responsibility for filing all amendments and changes forwarded to them by DHS. Copies sufficient to meet such custodian needs are issued without charge initially and when the Family Assistance Manual is reprinted in its entirety. Any other manuals requested by such custodians may be furnished at a charge related to the cost of production. Other groups, agencies, or individuals serving a substantial recipient population who request the manual, agree to file all amendments and changes forwarded to them by DHS, and who commit themselves to using the manual for informational purposes may be furnished copies of the manual, at the discretion of the Commissioner or his/her designee, at a charge related to the cost of production. Upon request, specific policy materials necessary for an applicant/recipient or his/her representative to determine whether a fair hearing should be requested or to prepare for a hearing will be made available to the applicant/recipient and/or his/her representative without charge. Food Stamp Regulations, plans of operation, and Federal Procedures which affect the public shall be maintained in the local and state offices. In addition, copies of the aforementioned may be obtained by writing or contacting the Southeast Regional Office, United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 1100 Spring Street N.W., Room 200, Atlanta, GA 30309.

(c) Other printed materials - Food Stamps and AFDC. The Tennessee Department of Human Services will provide other printed materials, such as brochures, pamphlets, leaflets, etc., that clearly describe basic financial and nonfinancial eligibility criteria, the application process, and participants rights and responsibilities. In Food Stamps this written information shall be made available to local social security offices, Department of Employment Services Offices, and other agencies and organizations assisting in the State Outreach Program.

(a) The Tennessee Department of Human Services will operate a food stamp toll-free hotline service.

(b) The hotline service number will be posted in all Food Stamp offices and will be included on printed material.