Utah State Board of Education Announces Emergency Food Assistance Program Eligibility Requirements

September 19th, 2024 /
Spencer Tuinei /
News

The Utah State Board of Education, Child Nutrition Programs, and Utah Food Bank announced the new household size and income criteria for determining eligibility for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP).

The Emergency Food Assistance Program is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides 100% American-grown USDA Foods and administrative funds to states to operate TEFAP.

Any information the household provides is confidential and will be used only to determine TEFAP eligibility. Households whose income is at or below 185% of the current year’s Federal Poverty Income Guidelines are eligible to receive donated foods by self-declaration.

Household eligibility is based on total household income, not income levels over the state-established limit. The Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs) are effective from July 1 through June 30 yearly. They can be found online at the USDA website.

USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines

Automatic eligibility is given to clients who currently participate in one of the following programs:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
Medicaid;
Free or Reduced-Price School Meal benefits; or
Have a child enrolled in the Federal Head Start Program.

The eligibility guidelines are effective from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

Participating TEFAP Sites:

American Fork

Calvary Mountain View
- 340 E State St

Tabitha’s Way Pantry South County
- 45 E 100 N

Orem

CAS Orem Food Pantry
- 93 N 400 E

Provo

CAS Provo Food Bank
- 815 S Freedom Blvd Ste 100

Iglesia Emanuel Pantry1
- 1078 S 250 E

Springville

CAS Springville Food Pantry
- 105 S 400 E St

Payson

Tabitha’s Way Pantry Payson
- 608 W 1400 S

Saratoga Springs

Tabitha’s Way Pantry Saratoga Springs
- 1509 N Commerce Dr

Spanish Fork

Tabitha’s Way Pantry South County
- 45 E 100 N

Frequently Asked Questions:

How can my household apply for TEFAP benefits?

You can apply for TEFAP benefits at a participating TEFAP site. To do so, you will need to fill out an application form and provide information about your household size and income. The staff at the TEFAP site will assist you with the application process.

Where can I find a TEFAP site?

About 100 sites in Utah participate in the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). These sites are located in various communities across the state, making it easier for you to access the program. To find a TEFAP site near you, including operating dates and times, contact the Utah Food Bank at 801-978-2452 or visit the TEFAP pantry locator online.

Utah Food Bank Pantry Locator
Utah Food Bank Home Page
- Call Utah Food Bank at 801-978-2452

Where can I learn more about the TEFAP program?

For more information about the TEFAP program, visit the USDA TEFAP website.

USDA TEFAP website – Food Assistance Program

You can also contact the Utah Food Bank or participating TEFAP sites.

USDA Food and Nutrition Service Nondiscrimination Statement

By federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY), or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

If you would like to file a discrimination complaint, you can complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, available at the USDA Government website, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA.

The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by mail, fax, or email using the information below.