The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) is a federal commodity food program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans, including older adults, by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the USDA purchases a variety of nutritious, high-quality foods and makes those foods available to state-distributing agency partners. TEFAP participants cannot be pressured or influenced to support any religious, social, or political point of view in association with the receipt of USDA commodities. See the linked Language Notification Flyer for available translation services.

TEFAP has criteria for determining what households are eligible to receive USDA food for home consumption. Neighbors are eligible if they can: Self-declare their income: If their income falls at or below the rates on the Income Eligibility Guidelines, they are eligible to receive TEFAP food. Proof of income is not required; however, verbal, written, or typed consent must be made by the neighbor. As a reminder, the Income Eligibility Guidelines must be posted near the distribution check-in area.; Ensure neighbors have read and understood the self-declaration disclosure.