Housing & Rent Help
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
Runs affordable housing, rental, and foreclosure-prevention programs statewide.
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee – Housing
Free legal help to fight eviction and stay in your home; call 1-800-238-1443.
- THDA Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
Free housing counselors who help homeowners avoid foreclosure.
Emergency Bills & Cash Assistance
- Families First – TANF (TN Dept. of Human Services)
Tennessee's TANF cash assistance for low-income families with children; apply through the One DHS Customer Portal.
- Tennessee Association of Community Action (TACA)
Local Community Action agencies that help with rent, utilities, and emergency needs.
- The Salvation Army – Tennessee
Emergency help with rent, food, and bills through local offices.
- Catholic Charities of Tennessee
Emergency financial help, food, and family support regardless of faith.
Medical Bills & Debt
- Tennessee Charitable Care Network (TCCN)
Find a free or charitable clinic so you can get care without racking up medical bills.
- Tennessee Primary Care Association
Community health centers that charge on a sliding scale based on income.
- Tennessee Justice Center
Helps people fight unfair medical bills and get the health coverage they're owed.
Utilities
- LIHEAP Energy Assistance (THDA)
Help paying heating and cooling bills and avoiding shutoffs; apply through local Community Action agencies.
- Weatherization Assistance Program (THDA)
Free home energy improvements that lower your utility bills.
- Project Help / utility hardship funds
Local utility assistance funds; dial 211 to find one near you.
Food
- SNAP Food Assistance (TN DHS)
Tennessee's food stamp benefit; apply online through the One DHS Customer Portal.
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
Free food through a network of pantries and mobile distributions across Middle Tennessee.
- Mid-South Food Bank (Memphis)
Free food across West Tennessee and the Memphis area.
- Tennessee WIC (Dept. of Health)
Food and nutrition support for pregnant women, babies, and children under 5.
Healthcare Coverage & Free Care
- TennCare (Medicaid)
Tennessee's Medicaid program; apply through TennCare Connect at tenncareconnect.tn.gov.
- CoverKids (CHIP)
Free health coverage for children and pregnant women who don't qualify for TennCare.
- HealthCare.gov Marketplace
Low-cost or free health plans with subsidies if you don't qualify for TennCare.
- Tennessee Charitable Care Network
Directory of free and charitable clinics for uninsured Tennesseans.
Mental Health & Crisis
- Tennessee Statewide Crisis Line
24/7 mental health crisis help: 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471).
- Tennessee REDLINE (substance use)
Free, confidential referrals for alcohol and drug problems: 1-800-889-9789.
- TDMHSAS – Behavioral Health Services
State mental health and substance-use treatment resources; also dial 988 anytime.
Childcare & Family
- Child Care Certificate Program / Smart Steps (TN DHS)
Help paying for child care so parents can work, train, or go to school.
- Tennessee Head Start Association
Free early education and family support for young children in low-income families.
- Nashville Diaper Connection
Free diapers for families in need across Middle Tennessee.
Transportation & Employment
- American Job Centers / Jobs4TN
Free job search, training, and career help at centers statewide.
- TN Dept. of Labor – Unemployment
File for unemployment benefits online.
Legal Aid & Immigration
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands
Free civil legal help with eviction, benefits, and family law; call 1-800-238-1443.
- Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Free civil legal help across East Tennessee; call 1-865-637-0484.
- West Tennessee Legal Services
Free civil legal help across West Tennessee.
- Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC)
Immigration support, know-your-rights info, and referrals for immigrant families.