Low-Income Help and Resources in Tennessee

Tennessee SNAP

SNAP provides grocery benefits to eligible Tennessee households. Applications can be submitted online through One DHS or by paper through the Tennessee Department of Human Services. Eligibility considers household circumstances, income, resources, and other federal and state program rules.

Application help: 833-772-8347

Tennessee WIC

WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Services are available through county health departments and other WIC clinics statewide.

WIC information: 800-DIAL-WIC (800-342-5942)

TNHousingSearch.org

THDA sponsors a free statewide housing locator with rental listings, affordability tools, accessibility filters, and housing information. The bilingual call center can also help residents search available rentals.

Housing search help: 877-428-8844

Housing Choice Vouchers

THDA administers Housing Choice Vouchers in 72 Tennessee counties. Larger metropolitan areas including Davidson, Hamilton, and Shelby counties use other housing authorities. Waiting lists open only at announced times and can remain closed for extended periods.

THDA applicant questions: 615-815-2169

Tennessee LIHEAP

LIHEAP provides one-time help with heating and cooling costs for eligible households, subject to available funding. THDA administers the program through 19 local agencies covering all 95 counties, and payments are made to the utility or energy supplier rather than directly to the household.

Weatherization Assistance Program

Tennessee's Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible low-income households improve energy efficiency and reduce heating and cooling costs. Local community agencies and governments provide services in all 95 counties, based on available funding.

THDA homelessness resources and TN 211

Emergency shelter, homelessness prevention, coordinated entry, domestic violence shelter, and supportive housing are administered locally. THDA maintains county and regional homelessness resources, and TN 211 can help identify nearby shelter and intake options.

Local public housing authorities

Local public housing authorities administer public housing and voucher programs in communities not served directly by THDA, including several metropolitan areas. Application periods and waiting-list rules differ by agency.

HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232

TennCare Medicaid

TennCare Medicaid covers eligible Tennessee residents in several categories, including children, pregnant people, parents or caretaker relatives, people who are elderly or have disabilities, and other qualifying groups. Eligibility depends on the category, income, household circumstances, and other program rules.

TennCare Connect: 855-259-0701

CoverKids

CoverKids provides health coverage for eligible children age 18 and younger and eligible pregnant women who are not enrolled in TennCare. Current guidance generally uses household income at or below 250% of the federal poverty level, along with other eligibility rules.

TennCare Connect: 855-259-0701

Community health centers

Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, substance-use treatment, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and generally offer sliding-fee discounts based on income and household size.

Medicare Savings Programs and TN SHIP

Some Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources may qualify for help with Medicare premiums or other costs through Medicare Savings Programs. Tennessee SHIP offers free Medicare counseling and application assistance.

TN SHIP: 877-801-0044

Child Care Payment Assistance and Smart Steps

Tennessee's Child Care Certificate Program helps eligible families pay part of child care costs. Applications and case management are available through One DHS. Some families have a co-payment based on income and household size.

Families First

Families First is Tennessee's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. It provides temporary cash assistance and may include employment, training, transportation, child care, and educational support. Adults who are not exempt generally agree to work or training requirements through a Personal Responsibility Plan.

Head Start and Early Head Start

Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle applications, eligibility, openings, and waiting lists.

Locator help: 866-763-6481

Tennessee Benefit Kitchen

United Ways of Tennessee offers a free screening tool for several public benefits and tax credits. Residents can text the word Benefits to 211-211 to receive the screener and application links for programs that may match their circumstances.

Tennessee unemployment insurance

Eligible workers who lose employment through no fault of their own, or whose hours are significantly reduced, may qualify for temporary unemployment benefits. Claims are filed online through Jobs4TN and the state's unemployment claimant system.

Labor and Workforce Development: 844-224-5818

American Job Centers

American Job Centers serve all 95 Tennessee counties with free job-search resources, workshops, resume and interview help, recruitment events, training information, veterans services, reentry assistance, and access to Jobs4TN.

Tennessee legal-aid organizations

Tennessee has nonprofit legal-aid and legal-services organizations that provide certain types of free civil legal help to eligible low-income residents. Services and income rules vary, and limited resources mean not every case can be accepted.

Federal Lifeline benefit

Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on household income or participation in certain public benefit programs.

Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473

Area Agencies on Aging and Disability

Tennessee's nine Area Agencies on Aging and Disability connect residents with meals, transportation, caregiver support, home and community-based services, Medicare counseling, long-term care information, and other local programs.

Statewide routing: 866-836-6678

Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging services

The Department of Disability and Aging provides information and intake routes for programs that may include Employment and Community First CHOICES, Family Support, Katie Beckett, OPTIONS, caregiver services, transportation, and other supports based on age, disability, and program eligibility.

Tennessee 988 Lifeline

Call or text 988 for free crisis support involving suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, mental health concerns, or substance use. Tennessee routes calls and messages through in-state crisis centers and can connect people with local resources when appropriate.

Call or text: 988

Tennessee Domestic Violence Helpline

The statewide helpline provides support, referrals, safety planning, and connections to shelter and other resources for people affected by domestic violence.

Statewide helpline: 800-356-6767

Tennessee Child Abuse Hotline

Tennessee accepts reports of suspected child abuse or neglect by phone and through a secure online portal. The hotline is the statewide reporting route, and online reports are monitored around the clock.

Child Abuse Hotline: 877-237-0004

TN 211

TN 211 covers all 95 counties and connects residents with food, housing, utilities, transportation, healthcare, child care, employment, disaster, and other community resources. Calls are free and confidential.

Call: 211
Text: ZIP code to 898-211