Assistance programs in Tennessee
Explore public benefits and assistance resources by the kind of help you need. Agencies decide eligibility and availability.
Find programs for your situationFood assistance
Tennessee SNAP (Food Assistance)
SNAP is Tennessee's food assistance program: monthly food money on an EBT card you use like a debit card at most grocery stores.
Tennessee WIC
WIC gives healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and health referrals to pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.
Housing assistance
Tennessee Legal Aid (HELP4TN)
Tennessee's legal aid programs provide free civil legal help to low-income residents on housing and eviction, family, public benefits, consumer, and other noncriminal matters.
Utility assistance
LIHEAP Energy Assistance (Tennessee)
LIHEAP, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps low-income Tennessee households pay home heating and cooling bills.
Weatherization Assistance Program (Tennessee)
Free home energy-efficiency work for income-eligible Tennessee households: attic and wall insulation, air and duct sealing, and heating and cooling repairs that lower future bills.
Tennessee Community Action Agencies (Utility & Emergency Help)
Tennessee Community Action Agencies (Utility & Emergency Help): how to apply, documents to prepare and common questions.
Health coverage
TennCare (Medicaid) & CoverKids (CHIP)
TennCare (Medicaid) & CoverKids (CHIP): how to apply, documents to prepare and common questions.
Cash and income support
Families First (Tennessee TANF Cash Assistance)
Families First (Tennessee TANF Cash Assistance): how to apply, documents to prepare and common questions.
Unemployment Insurance (Tennessee)
Temporary weekly payments if you lost work through no fault of your own, from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
Additional support
TN 211
Dial 2-1-1 from any Tennessee phone for free, confidential help finding local assistance with housing, utility bills, food, health care, and more.
Program names come from our existing directory. Funding and rules can change; confirm details with the administering agency before applying.