Turbo Takeaways

Known for its musical legacy and vibrant cities, Tennessee also faces economic disparities that leave many households struggling to make ends meet. With a median household income of $67,631, well below the national average of $77,719, Tennessee residents are often forced to make tough choices between housing, food, and medical care.

The Volunteer State offers financial assistance programs that help eligible individuals and families with cash aid, child care, food, and other basic needs. From rising utility costs to gaps in healthcare coverage, many Tennesseans rely on these programs to stay stable during difficult times.

Keep reading to learn how Tennessee’s financial assistance programs can help you navigate financial stress and find the support you need to stay on track.

Government Assistance Programs in Tennessee

Government assistance programs in Tennessee help households navigate financial hardship with resources tailored to essential living needs. These initiatives aim to reduce economic strain and provide stability during difficult times, from food access to utility support.

Cash Assistance Programs

Tennessee’s Cash assistance programs offer direct support to help individuals and families manage basic day-to-day expenses. Approved benefits are typically loaded onto an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, allowing secure and convenient access to funds for essential purchases.

  • Funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant
  • Helps low-income families with children pay for basic needs like housing, food, and transportation
  • Requires participants to follow a personal responsibility plan that may include job training or education
  • Formerly known as Food Stamps
  • Nutritional assistance initiative that offers monthly food benefits to help individuals and families purchase groceries at authorized retailers
  • Eligibility is based on income, household size, and expenses

Tennessee Stimulus Checks

  • There are no new Tennessee stimulus checks scheduled for 2025 or beyond
  • The state does not offer Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), or Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC)
  • Eligible residents can still claim federal tax credits when filing their federal returns to reduce tax obligations and increase refund amounts

Medical Assistance

Tennessee residents who lack private coverage or need support due to age, income, or health condition can access publicly funded health programs that cover essential care.

  • Medicaid program provides comprehensive healthcare coverage for qualifying low-income residents in Tennessee
  • Available to children, pregnant individuals, parents, seniors, and people with disabilities who meet income and eligibility criteria
  • Benefits include doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental, vision, and mental health services
  • Tennessee’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Free or low-cost health coverage to uninsured children under 19 and eligible pregnant individuals who don’t qualify for TennCare
  • Covers well-child checkups, immunizations, prenatal and postpartum care, and behavioral health support
  • Offers no-cost breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to uninsured or underinsured women aged 18–64 who meet income eligibility 
  • Patients receive navigation support and may be enrolled in full Medicaid benefits if cancer or pre-cancerous conditions are detected

Pregnant and Single Mother Programs

Tennessee offers targeted assistance to support maternal health and well-being for expectant and new mothers. These services help with early prenatal care, nutrition, and ongoing support during and after pregnancy.

  • Provides supplemental nutritious foods, breastfeeding education, and health referrals to pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children up to age five 
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program that aims to reduce nutrition-related health risks and promote healthy development through routine checkups and food benefits
  • Provides guidance, support, and community-based resources for breastfeeding parents through hospitals, clinics, and local WIC agencies
  • Includes information on milk storage, pumping, workplace rights, and access to certified lactation consultants

Child Care Services

Affordable and reliable child care is essential for working parents and families pursuing education or training. Tennessee offers state-supported options for eligible households to reduce child care costs and ensure their children are in licensed, quality settings.

  • Helps working parents, those pursuing post-secondary education, teen parents, and individuals transitioning off TANF access licensed child care services
  • Covers part or all of child care costs based on income and household size, with co-pays structured on a sliding scale
  • Includes eligibility categories like transitional families, at‑risk guardians, and teen parents enrolled in school
  • Federally funded preschool programs for infants, toddlers, and children up to five years old from low-income households, offering comprehensive early education and health services
  • Children from families receiving TANF, SNAP, or experiencing homelessness often qualify automatically, regardless of income
  • Includes full developmental support, nutrition, health screenings, family engagement, and disability accommodations

Food Assistance

Tennessee residents experiencing food insecurity can access various nutrition support programs. These initiatives focus on providing supplemental groceries and summer assistance to families and older adults in need.

  • State-administered program serving specific counties with limited existing summer meal access
  • Eligible families receiving SNAP or TANF benefits automatically received food benefits on their EBT cards during the summer
  • Federal initiative distributing free USDA-sourced groceries through local food banks and community action agencies
  • Available to households earning up to 185% of the federal poverty level or already participating in SNAP, TANF, or SSI programs
  • Support includes canned fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, protein, and more, delivered quarterly through regional distributions

Assistance for Veterans

Tennessee offers dedicated services to support veterans and their families with health care, housing, benefits assistance, and long-term care. These programs help veterans access the resources they’ve earned while navigating civilian life.

Veteran services available in Tennessee include:

  • Help with federal and state benefit claims, including disability, pensions, and survivor support
  • Access to long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation in state-run veterans’ homes
  • Mental health support, employment referrals, and housing coordination
  • Local offices that connect veterans with transportation, crisis services, and community resources

To explore available benefits or contact your local Veterans Service Officer, visit the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services.

Elderly and Disabled Adult Programs

Adults in Tennessee who are older or living with a disability may qualify for long-term services that support independence, reduce isolation, and help avoid institutional care.

Available services include:

  • Home and community-based care tailored to daily living needs (such as personal assistance, homemaker help, and meal delivery), allowing individuals to stay in their own homes safely 
  • Disability waivers and coordination for complex needs under programs like CHOICES or HCBS waivers, offering individualized support planning and funded services to delay or avoid nursing facility placement 
  • Options for community living, transportation assistance, adaptive equipment, and caregiver support to enhance safety and independence in daily routines

Visit the TennCare Long-Term Services & Supports (LTSS) overview page to learn more about eligibility and local support options.

Utility Bill Assistance

Households across Tennessee struggling with energy bills can access utility assistance programs, which reduce financial stress by covering essential costs and improving home efficiency.

  • Provides one-time payments to help cover heating and cooling bills during peak weather months
  • Prioritizes households with seniors, young children, or medical conditions
  • Crisis assistance is also available for families facing utility shutoffs or fuel shortages
  • Helps reduce monthly energy costs through free home improvements like insulation, air sealing, and HVAC repairs
  • Available to income-eligible homeowners and renters; no repayment required
  • Upgrades improve home safety, comfort, and energy efficiency long-term

Assistance for Unemployment

When job loss jeopardizes income and housing stability, Tennessee provides temporary wage replacement and job support through its state-managed unemployment insurance system. These unemployment assistance programs help residents stay afloat while actively seeking new work.

Key services include:

  • Weekly cash benefits to workers who lose their job through no fault of their own, with payments based on past earnings 
  • Eligibility requires sufficient recent earnings, availability for work, and completion of at least four work search activities per week 
  • New claims are filed through the state’s Jobs4TN portal
  • Claimants must certify weekly to maintain eligibility and file appeals if needed

To start, file your claim or check current eligibility through the official Tennessee unemployment site.

Housing and Homelessness Assistance

Safe and stable housing is essential, yet many Tennesseans face eviction threats, rising rent, or utility burdens that could jeopardize their living situations. The state supports emergency and long-term housing assistance to keep households sheltered and secure.

  • Supports emergency shelter operations, housing relocation assistance, and rapid re-housing services for individuals and families facing homelessness
  • Covers case management, essential services (mental health, job training), rental arrears, security deposits, and landlord mediation
  • Emergency shelters, transitional housing, and support services are available statewide through nonprofit and faith-based partners
  • Listings include resources by county, meal sites, hygiene support, and pathways to longer-term housing arrangements

Transportation Assistance

  • MyRide TN: Volunteer transportation program that offers door-to-door rides for senior residents who don’t drive, primarily assisting with medical appointments and errands
  • DAV Vans: Free non‑emergency transportation to VA hospitals and clinics for eligible veterans without other access to care

Divorce and Other Legal Assistance

Nonprofit Assistance Programs in Tennessee

Nonprofits in the Volunteer State support communities in need by offering flexible aid in housing, nutrition, and community services, especially in areas or cases not fully served by state resources.

  • Hosts volunteer members statewide who support mentoring, disaster relief, housing aid, and youth programs
  • Members work directly in children’s services, housing initiatives, and community outreach in partnership with nonprofits and schools
  • Operates food distribution across Middle, East, and West Tennessee via partner pantries and emergency meal sites
  • Provides mobile pantry services, child food support, and seasonal meal programs for underserved communities
  • Offers a searchable platform listing state and national grant opportunities for nonprofits, small businesses, and community agencies serving Tennessee
  • Includes listings for projects in health, housing, education, and local service delivery

How Do You Get Financial Help in Tennessee?

Even with numerous support programs available, many Tennesseans still struggle with overwhelming debt from credit cards, loans, or unexpected medical expenses. When state assistance isn’t enough, working with a trusted debt relief company like TurboDebt® can make all the difference.

TurboDebt offers effective Tennessee debt relief programs tailored to your unique financial situation. In 2024, our team helped Tennesseans across the state reduce an average of 52% of their total enrolled debt before fees.

Here’s why TurboDebt is an excellent choice for debt relief:

  • No upfront fees to get started
  • Potential savings of 50% or more on your total debt (before fees) through our debt settlement program
  • Become debt-free in as little as 12–48 months
  • No new loans or lines of credit as part of your debt relief program
  • Top-rated customer service, backed by 20,000+ 5-star TurboDebt reviews from satisfied clients

Take the first step today. Schedule a free consultation to find out if you qualify for our debt relief program and start your journey toward financial stability and peace of mind.