Tennessee Financial Help
Tennessee Financial Help, Public Benefits & Basic Needs
A statewide directory of public benefits and community organizations that may help with basic needs, rent and utilities, and other short-term financial emergencies. Programs include Tennessee DHS benefits (SNAP, Families First, child care), community action LIHEAP and crisis funds, and regional food banks and nonprofits. OACRA does not handle your case or apply for benefits for you — we help you find the right office to contact and questions to ask.
Memphis / West Tennessee
Counties: Shelby, Madison, Tipton, Fayette, Lauderdale, Haywood & region
✅ Verified DHS, community action & utility help
Tennessee DHS – Local County Offices
DHS offices in Shelby, Madison, and other West Tennessee counties handle SNAP food benefits, Families First (TANF cash assistance), and Child Care Payment Assistance for eligible households.
DHS offices in Shelby, Madison, and other West Tennessee counties handle SNAP food benefits, Families First (TANF cash assistance), and Child Care Payment Assistance for eligible households.
Coordinate required DHS appointments with your probation reporting days.
County DHS
LIHEAP Utility Assistance – West TN Community Action
Community action agencies in West Tennessee administer LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and crisis utility help when funds are available.
Community action agencies in West Tennessee administer LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and crisis utility help when funds are available.
Ask which agency serves your county and what documents you must bring.
Regional
🛠️ Eligible Community financial & food support
MIFA – Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association
Long-standing Memphis nonprofit with programs for emergency rent & utility assistance, homeless prevention, and seniors, depending on current funding.
Long-standing Memphis nonprofit with programs for emergency rent & utility assistance, homeless prevention, and seniors, depending on current funding.
Have ID, lease, utility bills, and income proof ready when you apply.
Memphis · Shelby
Mid-South Food Bank – Food Pantry Network
Regional food bank serving West Tennessee through partner pantries, mobile distributions, and community sites.
Regional food bank serving West Tennessee through partner pantries, mobile distributions, and community sites.
Use their “Find Food” tool or call to locate pantries in your ZIP code.
West Tennessee
Memphis Soup Kitchens & Meal Programs
Churches and missions in Memphis offer free meals and, in some cases, clothing or hygiene items for people in crisis.
Churches and missions in Memphis offer free meals and, in some cases, clothing or hygiene items for people in crisis.
Check 2-1-1 or local resource guides for current schedules.
Memphis
Nashville / Middle Tennessee
Counties: Davidson, Rutherford, Williamson, Sumner, Wilson, Maury, Robertson & nearby
✅ Verified DHS, Metro Action & core benefits
Nashville Metro Action Commission
Provides LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and limited rent or crisis funds for Davidson County residents who meet income and eligibility rules.
Provides LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and limited rent or crisis funds for Davidson County residents who meet income and eligibility rules.
Appointment slots fill quickly; apply early and bring all requested documents.
Davidson County
Tennessee DHS – Middle TN County Offices
DHS offices across Middle Tennessee handle SNAP, Families First, child care assistance and related benefits.
DHS offices across Middle Tennessee handle SNAP, Families First, child care assistance and related benefits.
Let DHS know if you have court-ordered payments or restitution obligations.
Middle Tennessee
🛠️ Eligible Community financial & basic-needs support
Catholic Charities of Tennessee – Emergency Assistance
Offers limited rent, utility, and basic-needs assistance plus case management for eligible households when funds are available.
Offers limited rent, utility, and basic-needs assistance plus case management for eligible households when funds are available.
Funding is not guaranteed — call ahead for intake days and eligibility.
Nashville & region
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
Regional food bank with partner pantries, mobile pantries, and school programs across Middle Tennessee counties.
Regional food bank with partner pantries, mobile pantries, and school programs across Middle Tennessee counties.
Use the “Find Food” tool and call pantries to confirm hours and ID needed.
Middle Tennessee
Nashville Rescue Mission – Meals & Shelter
Provides free meals, emergency shelter, and limited clothing/toiletries for adults in crisis or experiencing homelessness.
Provides free meals, emergency shelter, and limited clothing/toiletries for adults in crisis or experiencing homelessness.
Check rules on curfew, sobriety, and belongings if you are on supervision.
Nashville
Knoxville / East Tennessee
Counties: Knox, Anderson, Blount, Sevier, Jefferson & region
✅ Verified County action & public benefits
Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC)
Local community action agency providing LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and some emergency basic-needs support for eligible Knox County residents.
Local community action agency providing LIHEAP energy assistance, weatherization, and some emergency basic-needs support for eligible Knox County residents.
Ask CAC about application windows and which documents to bring.
Knox County
Tennessee DHS – East TN County Offices
DHS offices across East Tennessee manage SNAP, Families First, child care, and related public benefits.
DHS offices across East Tennessee manage SNAP, Families First, child care, and related public benefits.
Missing DHS appointments can affect benefits — track dates in your planner.
East Tennessee
🛠️ Eligible Food pantries & community support
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
Regional food bank serving East Tennessee through partner food pantries, mobile distributions, and school programs.
Regional food bank serving East Tennessee through partner food pantries, mobile distributions, and school programs.
Use the “Need Food?” search to find nearby pantries by ZIP code.
East Tennessee
The Love Kitchen – Knoxville
Nonprofit providing free meals on-site and delivered to homebound individuals in Knoxville, focusing on elderly, disabled, and working poor clients.
Nonprofit providing free meals on-site and delivered to homebound individuals in Knoxville, focusing on elderly, disabled, and working poor clients.
Space and delivery routes are limited; call to confirm current schedule.
Knoxville
Chattanooga / Southeast Tennessee
Counties: Hamilton, Bradley, Marion, Rhea, Meigs, Polk, Sequatchie & region
✅ Verified Community action & United Way partners
LIHEAP & Community Action – Southeast Tennessee
Community action agencies in the Chattanooga area administer LIHEAP utility assistance and occasional crisis funds for rent or basic needs.
Community action agencies in the Chattanooga area administer LIHEAP utility assistance and occasional crisis funds for rent or basic needs.
Ask 2-1-1 or your American Job Center who runs LIHEAP in your county.
Southeast Tennessee
United Way of Greater Chattanooga – Financial Stability Network
Funds local programs that provide financial coaching, basic-needs support, and stability services to households in the region.
Funds local programs that provide financial coaching, basic-needs support, and stability services to households in the region.
Use 2-1-1 or their site to see which basic-needs programs are active.
Hamilton County
🛠️ Eligible Food bank & local relief
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
Regional food bank serving Southeast Tennessee with partner pantries, soup kitchens, and community programs.
Regional food bank serving Southeast Tennessee with partner pantries, soup kitchens, and community programs.
Check their “Find Food” tool for locations and hours.
Southeast Tennessee
Local Soup Kitchens & Meal Ministries
Churches and missions in Chattanooga offer free meals and sometimes clothing or hygiene items for people in need.
Churches and missions in Chattanooga offer free meals and sometimes clothing or hygiene items for people in need.
Use 2-1-1 to find current meal schedules and shelter rules.
Chattanooga
Tennessee Statewide & Online
Covers: all 95 counties, statewide benefits & referral lines
✅ Verified State benefits & public programs
Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS)
State agency for SNAP, Families First cash assistance, child care payment assistance, and other benefits. Apply online or through local offices statewide.
State agency for SNAP, Families First cash assistance, child care payment assistance, and other benefits. Apply online or through local offices statewide.
Report income or household changes promptly to avoid overpayments.
Statewide
SNAP – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
Monthly food benefit on an EBT card for eligible low-income individuals and families in Tennessee.
Monthly food benefit on an EBT card for eligible low-income individuals and families in Tennessee.
Having a record does not automatically disqualify you; ask DHS if unsure.
Statewide
🛠️ Eligible 2-1-1, referrals & civil legal help
Tennessee 2-1-1 (United Way)
Free helpline connecting you with local resources for rent, utilities, food, transportation, and other basic needs anywhere in Tennessee.
Free helpline connecting you with local resources for rent, utilities, food, transportation, and other basic needs anywhere in Tennessee.
Dial 2-1-1 and explain your county, charges, and any supervision limits.
Statewide
TAADAS & TN REDLINE (Info & Referral)
Statewide association and helpline offering information about addiction treatment, recovery resources, and educational materials, plus referrals to programs.
Statewide association and helpline offering information about addiction treatment, recovery resources, and educational materials, plus referrals to programs.
Not financial aid, but helpful if treatment costs affect your budget.
Statewide
Legal Aid & Civil Legal Services (Non-Criminal)
Legal aid organizations across Tennessee assist with evictions, debt collection, benefits denials, and other civil issues that impact finances and stability.
Legal aid organizations across Tennessee assist with evictions, debt collection, benefits denials, and other civil issues that impact finances and stability.
Ask if they help with record-related barriers like license reinstatement.
Statewide network
Important: Being approved for benefits or emergency funds does not cancel court-ordered fines, restitution, or supervision costs. Use these programs to stabilize basic needs so you can stay compliant.
Before relying on financial help: confirm with your officer how any lump-sum payments, settlements, or back benefits might affect restitution, child support, or other obligations. Keep copies of all notices, decision letters, and payment histories.
Legal disclaimer: OACRA is not a benefits office or law firm. We do not give legal advice, represent you with agencies, or guarantee that any program will approve your application.
