SELF HELP

General Help

Visit FindHelp for free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more depending on your zip code. You can visit their website here.

Call 211 Helpline for free information and referral help. You can visit their website here.

Call Help4TN at 844-435-7486 for free legal help and social services. You can visit their website here.

I need affordable housing

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is a federal rental assistance program for low-income individuals, older adults, and individuals with disabilities to receive assistance to afford safe and sanitary housing.

There is a waitlist. You can apply to be on the wait list here.
For more information visit Tennessee’s website here.

I need help paying my mortgage

The federal government has created the Housing Assistance Fund (HAF) to help homeowners pay their mortgage because of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is to help with bills you got after January 21, 2020.

As of August 2023, only applications for partial claim reimbursement are accepted in Tennessee.
For more information on the program and how to apply, click here.

I need help paying my rent

Emergency Rental Assistance – Eviction Prevention Program (ERA-EPP) is a program that seeks to prevent evictions.

To apply contact your local ERA-EPP qualified agency. You can find a list of agencies here.

For legal self help, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands has a self-help resource here.

I need help paying my utilities

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps families with energy and utility costs. The program will help provide federally funded assistance to be used for the cost of home utility bills, utility crisis, and even utility-related minor home repairs.

To apply contact your local LIHEAP agency. You can find more information and a list of LIHEAP agencies here.

For Nashville Residents:

NeedLink provides help to pay for past due electric bill balances. Please wait until you have received a past due bill to apply.

To apply for assistance, please go the NeedLink website and fill out their application here.

Affordable Connectivity Program is a Federal Communication Commission benefit program that helps ensure households can afford internet broadband.

Eligible households can receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
For more information on eligibility and how to apply, click here.

The Emergency Broadband Benefit program helps low income consumers afford essential internet service.

You may be able to get up to $50 a month to help pay for high-speed internet.  Check with your internet provider for details.
For a listing of internet partners in Tennessee, click here.

TennCare

TennCare is free health insurance to low income Tennesseans who meet other requirements. Because Tennessee had not expanded Medicaid, you can't just have low income to get TennCare. Some groups include:

People taking care of children under the age of 19
Pregnant
Children under 21
Social Security said you are "Disabled"
You need help with activities of daily living like eating, using the bathroom, communication, getting around in your own home or the community

TennCare is Tennessee’s Medicaid program. Every state has their own Meidcaid program.

For more information on eligibility click here.
We can help you apply. Please complete this form, or call the TJC at 615-255-0331 or 877-608-1009 Toll-Free.

To apply online on your own click here.

We recommend applying online but for other ways to apply click here.

Transportation through TennCare

Is it hard for you to get a free ride to doctor's appointments through TennCare? If so, you can ask TennCare to pay a friend or family member to take you by following the steps below:

Call your managed care organization and get prior approval
Fill out the mileage reimbursement form HERE
Be sure to take the form with you to the appointment and have your doctor sign off on it
Submit the form promptly after your appointment

1.5 million Tennesseans are eligible for the program, including low-income pregnant women, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. For more information, CLICK HERE.

CoverKids

CoverKids is a free health insurance program for children and pregnant women in Tennessee who don’t have health insurance and meet other requirements.

For more information on eligibility click here.
We can help you apply. Please complete this form, or call the TJC at 615-255-0331 or 877-608-1009 Toll-Free.

To apply online on your own click here.
We recommend applying online but for other ways to apply click here.

Medicare Savings Program

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) is a program for low income folks who need help paying for Medicare costs.

For more information on eligibility click here.
We can help you apply. Please complete this form, or call the TJC at 615-255-0331 or 877-608-1009 Toll-Free.

To apply online on your own click here.
We recommend applying online but for other ways to apply click here.

Is your household income likely to be greater than the income listed above? Go to www.healthcare.gov to see if you can get health insurance and get financial help paying your premiums.
Call toll free 1-800-269-4038 if you need help applying on healthcare.gov.
You may be in the Coverage Gap if your income is less than the limit above. You may be able to get free or reduced fee health care.
To find a clinic near you click here.
For help with medications click here.
Would you like to share your story? Please complete our form here, and a member of our staff will contact you.

Terminated or Denied from TennCare, CoverKids or a Medicare Savings Program?

If you have been denied for these programs and you disagree with their reason, you can file an appeal in your TennCare Connect portal here. Or by filling out this form and sending it to TennCare. You may also contact us and we will see if we can help.

Not getting the services you need or are approved for under TennCare or CoverKids?

You can file a medical services appeal with TennCare by filling out this form and sending it to TennCare. You may also contact us and we will see if we can help.

For more information click here.

Marketplace

If your income is a certain amount each year you can get affordable health insurance with the Marketplace. This is because you may be approved for a premium tax credit on a Marketplace plan.

For more information on the premium tax credit eligibility visit here.

You can apply for a marketplace plan online here.
If you need help applying visit GetCoveredTenn and schedule an appointment or call 1-866-475-7879

Coverage Gap

Because Tennessee has not expanded Medicaid and because the Marketplace may only be affordable if you earn a certain amount it is possible you can’t have access to affordable health insurance in Tennessee. You may be able to get free or reduced fee health care. 

To find a clinic near you click here. 
For help with medications click here. 
Would you like to share your story? Please complete our form here, and a member of our staff will contact you.

SPECIAL NOTE for pregnant immigrants without health insurance…

You can apply for CoverKids regardless of your immigration status. This means all pregnant immigrants can receive prenatal, labor and delivery and post-partum care provided they are Tennessee residents and meet certain income requirements.

We can help you apply. Please complete this form, or call the TJC at 615-255-0331 or 877-608-1009 Toll-Free. 
To apply for CoverKids, go to your local health department.
- To find your local health department click here.
Some free and reduced fee health clinics may be able to help you apply for CoverKids as well.
- To find a clinic near you, click here.

Help for immigrants in general…

Usually, only United States citizens and certain lawfully-present non-citizens may receive public health benefits, food assistance, temporary cash payments to pay living expenses. To qualify for these programs, applicants must meet certain income and resource requirements. Depending on your immigration status, an additional waiting period may also apply.

Children born in the United States may be eligible regardless of their parents’ immigration status.
Learn more HERE.

Women Infant and Children (WIC) Program

This program provides benefits for low income, pregnant or post-partum women, infants and children up to age 5. These benefits include

Help paying for nutritious foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education.

For more information about the program visit Tennessee's website here.

We have more information on our website here.
To apply, visit your local WIC clinic, call 1-800-Dial-WIC or visit tn.gov/WIC.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a program that helps pay for groceries. Your income and resources must be low enough to qualify.

For more information on eligibility click here.

We also have more information on our website here.

To apply online click here.

For other ways to apply click here.

If you need hands-on help applying, click HERE to find someone in your area.

Summer EBT

Eligible children can recieve summer benefits to help pay for food. Eligible children include:

Children who receive free or reduced price school meals through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or because the school is a Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) school.
Children who are part of a household enrolled in SNAP or Families First

You can talk to your child’s school to apply for NSLP or confirm that they get free or reduced price school meals.

We have more information on our website here.
If you lost your card call 1-888-997-9444 or go to www.connectebt.com.

Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)

From 2020 through 2023, children who receive free or reduced price meals in schools were able to get benefits to help pay for food because of missed school meals due to COVID-19. Pandemic EBT (P-EBT) expired when the Federal Public Health Emergency ended on May 1, 2023 and was replaced with Summer EBT.

For more information about the program click here.

We also have more information on our website here.

If you lost your card call 1-888-997-9444 or go to www.connectebt.com.

Families First is a program provides temporary cash assistance, transportation, childcare assistance, educational supports, job training, employment activities, and other support services. 

You can apply online here, you can start a Family Assistance online application by clicking here.

Unemployment Insurance Benefits is a program that provides temporary financial assistance toe eligible workers who are unemployed and meet requirements of state law. Each state administers their own program.If you recently lost your job, you may be able to access unemployment benefits.

General Information about the Unemployment Insurance Program or to file a claim click here.

Visit our "Vaccine Resources" Guide.

Families First is a program provides temporary cash assistance, transportation, childcare assistance, educational supports, job training, employment activities, and other support services. You can apply online here, you can start a Family Assistance online application by clicking here.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline provides confidential suicide prevention services 24/7.

Visit their website here or call1-800-273-8255
Other ways to contact the hotline (US and Canada): Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline also has an online resource containing an archive of hotlines, LGBTQ advocacy organization pages, and tips for suicide prevention and mental health mindfulness here.

Live Another Day is dedicated to providing equal access to life-saving substance abuse and mental health resources. You can visit their website here.

Anti-Hunger Hotline, Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or text 97779 to be connected to the closest food resource to you

Vanderbilt LGBTQ health program - get help navigating Vanderbilt’s LGBTQ health program and connect with providers here.

The Vanderbilt Clinic for Transgender Health offers hormone therapy and surgical services for transgender patients. Visit their webpage here.

Positively Living & Choice Health Network offers antiretroviral medicines for uninsured and insured patients who are at high risk of HIV to take preventative measures to stop the virus from infecting. Its locations in Knoxville, Memphis, Upper Cumberland, and Chattanooga offer HIV care, STI/STD testing, and other referrals at a low cost. Visit their website here.

Planned Parenthood in Nashville and Knoxville, provides hormone replacement and HIV services and STD testing, treatment, and vaccines for patients and accepts Medicaid.

The Campaign for Southern Equality has created a Trans in the South Guide, which includes 400+ trans-affirming medical and legal service providers in Southern states.

The Tennessee Equality Project is a statewide LGBTQ rights advocacy organization that provides education and opportunities to advocate for LGBTQ communities in Tennessee. Visit their website here.

Tennessee Justice Center has created a list of LGBTQ health focused organizations across the state

The Trevor Project is a confidential lifeline that provides suicide prevention services to LGBTQ youth 24/7. Visit their website here or call 1-866-488-7386

National Help Center’s LGBT National Youth Talkline provides confidential and online one-to-one chat, telephone, and email support to LGBTQ youth. Visit their website here or call 800-246-7743

Your Guide to LGBTQIAPK Addiction Treatment gives information on what LGBTQIAPK means, substance abuse & addiction statistics and LGBTQIAPK addiction treatment. Review it here.

LGBTQ Rehab Centers for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender is medically reviewed guide to help find treatment specialized for the LGBTQ community.

For help finding an attorney on issues we don't help with

Contact the Tennessee Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service in your area:

East Tennessee: 865-522-7501
Middle Tennessee: 615-242-6546
Southeast Tennessee: 423-756-3222

Contact your regional Legal Aid Society Office for free legal help:

Legal Aid of East Tennessee: 865-637-0484
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands: 615-244-6610
West Tennessee Legal Services: 800-372-8346
Memphis Area Legal Services: 901-523-8822

Contact Help4TN for free legal help and social services:

Help4TN: 844-435-7486

NEED DIRECT ASSISTANCE?

If you still need our assistance with these programs after viewing the self-help resources above. Please feel free to reach out to us and we will see if we can help. You can fill out our case inquiry form here or call us at 615-255-0331

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