Chattanooga, TN Financial Assistance
Finding oneself in financial need can be overwhelming and stressful. Fortunately, for residents in Chattanooga, Tennessee, several government financial assistance options are available to help you make ends meet. This guide outlines these options, the eligibility criteria, and how to apply. It also provides information about some non-profit organizations that might help and strategies to escape financial need.
Government Financial Assistance Options
There are various types of government assistance available, each designed to help those in financial need in different ways.
1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides eligible low-income individuals and families with benefits that they can use to buy food. The Tennessee Department of Human Services determines the eligibility criteria and monthly benefits. You can apply online through the department's website.
2. Tennessee Families First Program
This program provides temporary cash assistance, transportation, child care assistance, educational supports, job training, employment activities, and other services to families with children under 18 who are suffering from financial hardships. To be eligible, families must be residents of Tennessee, be either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19, a U.S. national, citizen, or have eligible immigration status. Apply for this program at your local Department of Human Services office.
3. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP offers financial assistance to eligible low-income households to help manage energy costs. Applications are accepted at local designated agencies.
4. Section 8 Housing Voucher Program
Section 8 program provides assistance to low-income families and individuals in securing affordable housing. To be eligible, you must be a resident of Tennessee, have low income (less than 50% of the area median income), and meet other program-specific criteria. Apply for this program through Chattanooga Housing Authority.
Non-Profit Agencies
Chattanooga is served by numerous non-profit agencies that seek to assist residents facing financial hardship. These include:
1. Metropolitan Ministries
This organization provides emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to eligible individuals and families in Hamilton County. To be eligible, you must prove that you can sustain yourself financially after receiving the assistance.
2. The Salvation Army - Chattanooga
They offer a variety of programs and services, including emergency financial assistance, food pantry, utility assistance, and counseling. Visit their website to apply.
Strategies to Overcome Financial Need
In addition to using existing programs and services, here are some strategies you may consider to overcome financial hardship.
1. Create a Budget and Stick to It
Transparently looking at your spending habits can uncover opportunities to cut back and save money. Once you have a budget, commit to follow it.
2. Use Free Money Management Tools
Numerous online tools and apps can help you track your spending, save, and even invest your money.
3. Seek Additional Employment or Training
Considering part-time employment or seeking additional training to qualify for higher-paying jobs can help you get out of financial need.
Search for Financial Assistance in Tennessee
Latest additions in Tennessee
FACES: The National Craniofacial Association
* FACES
serves children and adults with severe craniofacial deformities
resulting from birth defects, injuries, or disease* Service goal
addresses three distinct areas: client travel, public awareness and
understanding, information and support* Client travel: Financial
assistance is provided for expenses incurred while traveling away from
home to a craniofacial center for reconstructive surgery and/or
evaluation* Public awareness and understanding: A quarterly newsletter
is mailed to client families, supporters, professional groups and the
medial community* FACES has a national speaker bureau available to speak
to groups about the challenges and needs of those with craniofacial
differences* Information and support: FACES furnishes information about
craniofacial centers and publishes a brochure and also provides support*
Provide referrals to other available resources and organizations,
maintain up-to-date information on specific diseases or birth defects,
and assist in getting families in touch with other families who have a
child with the same disorder .. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0438370,-85.2968170
- Phone
- (423) 266-1632
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
.. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0478995,-85.2893617
- Phone
- (423) 778-9192
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
Widows Harvest Ministries, Inc.
For widows in urban
America the outlook can often be quite bleak.
Government agencies, as
well as local churches are often limited in teh types of assistance they
are able to provide to help meet the physical, emotional and spiritual
needs of widows in their particular area.
It is, therefore, the mission
of Widows Harvest Ministries to plead the case of, provide assistance
to, and promote the spiritual growth and ministry of widows. .. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0018059,-85.3368812
- Phone
- (423) 266-0260
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
United States Catholic Conference
Serving the needy of
the Chattanooga community in a spirit of faith, humility and
simplicity .. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0135130,-85.2947550
- Phone
- (423) 624-3222
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
Department of Neighborhood Services and Community Development - CHATTANOOGA
*Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program*
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009,which ludes $1.5 billion for a Homelessness
Prevention Fund. Funding for this program, called the Homelessness
Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), is being distributed
based on the formula used for the Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) program.
Grantees may provide rental assistance or services to eligible program
participants who are residing or would like to reside outside their
jurisdiction. They may also fund ubgrantees that serve persons outside
of the jurisdiction, subgrantees that are located outside of the
jurisdiction, and subgrantees that serve multiple jurisdictions. A
grantee may establish more stringent requirements, such as requiring
that HPRP funds be spent within the jurisdiction or establishing a
residency requirement,but HUD is not setting these requirements.
Counties served:Knox County
.. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0655119,-85.3189281
- Phone
- (423) 7575133
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
Hamilton County Dhs Office Chattanooga
For more information, about Financial assistance and other services provided by this office, contact them directly to the number provided.
.. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0081767,-85.2148648
- Phone
- (423) 634-6200
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN
Kidney Foundation - Financial Assistance for Those with Kidney Diseases Chattanooga
For more information, about Financial assistance and other services provided by this office, contact them directly to the number provided.
.. (continue to details page for more info and costs)
35.0757149,-85.3032889
- Phone
- (423) 265-4397
- Location
- Chattanooga, TN