Money Assistance Tennessee – Help paying bills, rent, loans & more

Tennessee ranks as the 39^th state in regards to poverty levels. With 17.8 percent of residents considered to be living in poverty and 26.5 percent of the state’s children living in homes that are considered at or below the poverty level. If you are having a difficult time paying your bills and are falling into debt, get financial assistance today.

Below are multiple ways to get financial help in Tennessee. Services that include help paying bills, rent, food/groceries, personal loans, debt relief and as mentioned various government benefits and support agencies across Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and all other cities in Tennessee.

Social Security Loans (SSI)
Many residents living in Tennessee collecting Social Security may qualify for more financial assistance through SSI. For those whose only income is Social Security and you are in need of a loan, there may be specialist lenders who will assist. Learn more about SSI and other social security loan options here.

Assistance with utilities: Residents can get help with their monthly utility bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program which offers subsidized heating costs for the elderly, disabled and low-income families. Residents can also get free help winterizing their homes to help further reduce their energy expenses. In addition residents can get help through the On Track Assistance Program offered by Memphis Light, Gas and Water. The program offers help to individuals who are behind on their monthly utility bills.

Food Assistance: Low-income families can get help with their food bills through the state food stamps program, The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Qualifying residents will receive a monthly stipend that can be used to pay for food at participating stores. In addition, pregnant women and women with young children may qualify for help through the WIC program. Families who don’t qualify for help through the food stamps program may be able to get help through local food pantries.

Loan Help: Learn about the different loan options available to those finding it difficult to qualify for mainstream loans from banks and credit unions. In many instances borrowers believe there only source of cash is via payday type lenders, there are better options available – Review options here.

Rent and Mortgage: Low-income families may qualify for income-based housing which offers subsidized rent for families that meet certain income requirements. The Section 8 Housing program is offered through Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Residents may also qualify for help with deposits or rent payments through HUD and the Housing Choice Voucher Program. This program is designed for very low-income families.

Medical Assistance: Residents who need help covering their medical expenses may qualify for free health insurance through the state Medicaid Program. Low-income families that don’t qualify for Medicaid may apply to get low-cost insurance for their children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CoverKids. Residents can also access free health care at free clinics located throughout the state.

Educational Assistance: Students who need help funding their college education in Tennessee can get help through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation. The program is designed to help students pay for college. In addition, future students can get help with college tuition through the Federal Pell Grant Program which offers college grants to full-time students from low-income families. Homes with small children may qualify for help through the Head Start Program.

Community Action Centers: If you need additional support you can find support at the local Community Action Centers. These centers provide help to low-income families and individuals. You can get help with applications for public assistance, finding grants and finding emergency housing or food supplies. In addition, residents can access employment training opportunities. The programs are designed to help individuals become more self-sufficient. Check out the Tennessee Association Community Action site for centers close to you.

Charities: Despite the higher-than-average poverty rate, Tennessee ranks as the 27^th most giving state in the country, according to WalletHub. This is great news for families in need as there are plenty of people and organizations willing to lend a helping hand. In addition to previous resources, you can also get help through are charities like the Community Health Charities of Tennessee, Appalachia Service Project, Memphis Union Mission and Feed America First.

Learn more about free items and other money assistance services in Tennessee, including: Free clothes, furniture, car, school accessories, help with fines, seasonal items & more!
The below services are in general and may not be available in Tennessee. However, if not available, many may have partnerships with other organizations through out the state that they can connect you with.

Free Hotel or Motel Vouchers for the Homeless or Emergencies
Those experiencing hardship and are without a roof over their head can access different types of short and possibly longer term accommodation throughout Tennessee. Learn more about accommodation assistance in here.

Dealing with tickets or fines
If you have unpaid tickers or fines, avoiding them will only create further financial and credit problems. Learn about ways to get assistance with dealing with fines in Tennessee, from requesting a waiver or challenging inaccurate fines. Get the information you need to tackle fines here.

How to get a free laptop or computer
Low income families have a range of organizations that provide free technology assistance such as computers and laptops throughout the country including Tennessee. Learn about what free computers and laptop organizations are near you and how to apply here.

Getting a free or low cost car
At any given time there are different organizations that assist low income earners with transportation. Across the country and in Tennessee there are different services that assist people with getting a vehicle. Learn more about free cars, how to get one and where to apply.

How to get free gas for emergencies
Gas prices in Tennessee like most of the country are extremely high. This can put serious strange on the family budget. For those dealing with cashflow issues and finding it hard to put fuel in the car, there is help. Learn how to get free gas for emergencies through free gas vouchers.