Assistance programs Hamilton County and Chattanooga Tennessee.
Low income families can get financial help with their bills, including rent, groceries, medical, and utilities. Find how to apply for grant money or cash loans in Hamilton County, as the agencies (including churches, charities, and government offices) help struggling residents in Chattanooga and the county. Mortgage and security deposit help is also offered, including assistance for home buyers as well as section 8 vouchers..
Agencies offer funds to help with paying bills or debts and also coordinate job programs, credit counseling, and other services for needy clients. Charities in the Chattanooga region also offer free back to school supplies or clothes for job seekers. Or get information on car programs for employment, Christmas toys, and other free items or even section 8 immediately.
Find how to get help with bills from CHS
There are several financial assistance programs that Hamilton County and Chattanooga residents can turn to for help. People who are struggling, as well as low to moderate income families can get aid from the Chattanooga Human Services organization (CHS). Resources and services are offered that provide assistance with most basic needs, including shelter, utility bills, medications, clothing, rent, mortgages, and more. They are located at 501 W 12th Street Chattanooga, TN , or dial 423 757-5541.
- Tennessee Low Income Heating Emergency Assistance is offered. This federal government funded program which is offered by CHS provides heating and cooling bill help. It will offer assistance to low and moderate income families and individuals with their winter heating costs and bills. Grants are available to help pay heating bills. It can even provide aid for summer energy bills. In cases of extreme hot weather during the hot summer months, grants and assistance are also provided for cooling costs, including fans or other items donated to help alleviate the conditions that are weather related.
- Rent and mortgage assistance may help stop homelessness. Free grants, counseling, and services are provided to help families and individuals prevent eviction from their housing or apartment, and foreclosures assistance is also provided. Find additional mortgage assistance.
- Weatherization programs from CHS is a free conservation program. The purpose of the program is to help people save on their energy bills. Weatherization will help people reduce their cooling and heating bills by improving the amount of heat and cooling that is needed due to poor insulation, ill fitting doors and windows. Applicants can apply for this program even if they are not homeowners, so it is open to renters as well. However the landlord must agree to the work being done on the property before the improvements can occur.
- The weatherization programs offered by Tennessee work hand in hand with federal government LIHEAP. Persons who are applying for assistance or grants through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program can also request assistance in having their homes weatherized at the time an application is made for the annual LIHEAP winter heating assistance intake process. This makes the form of public benefits that much more effective, as it combines financial aid with free conservation measures. So if you qualify for LIHEAP, ask for weatherization as well.
- Utility bill assistance can stop disconnections. In addition to LIHEAP mentioned above, CHS can provide additional services and grants to customers that are in need due to a short term crisis situation or emergency in their lives, such as loss of job, medical emergency, or reduction in income. Funds and grants are available for electric, heating, and even water bills. The primary goal of the Chattanooga Human Services utility assistance is to prevent service interruption or to restore interrupted services if someone had their electricity turned off.
- Free prescription medication assistance, vouchers, and grants are offered in Hamilton County Tennessee. There are even some funds that can be used for the purchase of prescription medications, however funding is limited. Click here to find additional ways to get free prescription drug medications.
- Free food programs stop hunger in the community. .Food assistance is also available from Social Services workers that are part of CHS. Recipients of these service are provided with resources so that they can go to the grocery store or retailers and purchase desired items for their family. They are even directed to free grocery store coupon websites.
The food assistance program provides a stop gap measure to prevent hunger among low to moderate income people while the person is awaiting services through other agencies or government programs, including SNAP. Food aid is also available when the individual or family does not meet the eligibility requirements for services through other agencies, or if they will not qualify for government aid.
All of the services listed above are offered by Chattanooga Human Services organization (CHS). Call 423 757-5541.
Emergency financial assistance for bills in Hamilton County
There are several locations of the Salvation Army. A local branch, known as the Social Services Ministry in East Lake and locations in Chattanooga, will provide assistance and empower families and individuals to work towards long term self-sufficiency. They do this by providing emergency utility bill assistance, food boxes and vouchers for groceries, and even rental assistance.
The Hamilton County region Salvation Army offers other programs too. They include free school supply giveaway events or shelter. There is also a soup kitchen, free Christmas toys and gifts from Angel Tree, help for the elderly, and more. Nearly 20,000 are assisted per year. Several other Salvation Army centers are in the Hamilton County region as well. Call (423) 698-4484 or click more details Salvation Army of Hamilton County and Chattanooga.
Catholic Charities - Chattanooga (phone 423.267.1297) runs an emergency and intervention program. It is a regional service. Receive access to various services and support, including money for paying back rent, energy bills, a homeless shelter, and other form of aid. Find additional ways to get rent help.
Catholic Charities runs several other assistance programs for the region and provides additional services to senior citizens and low income residents. The churches and case managers from the organization are committed to helping the poor and unemployed. Call them to inquire about food, resources for seniors and immigrants and other financial aid. More on Knoxville area Catholic Charities.
Northside Neighborhood House provides help with emergency needs for utilities, food and prescription medications. Low income families can apply. They also have an on site thrift store and food pantry.
TOPS of Knox County provides assistance with utilities and rent to migrant or seasonal farm workers. Knoxville Tennessee. (865) 281-8677
HOPE for the Inner City/Mercy Ministries - As funding allows, the agency provides temporary financial assistance to help individuals and families in crisis with medications, food, clothing, rent assistance, electric bill help, and more. There can also be home repairs or holiday (Christmas and Thanksgiving) assistance. Call the Chattanooga agency at (423) 698-3178, or more on help from HOPE for the Inner City.
Chattanooga Human Services runs an Emergency Assistance Program. Call the government agency at (423) 757-5541. Among other services, they provides emergency financial assistance for low income families. The agency also manages EFSP funds for providing mortgage, rent, and utilities assistance, including Project Share/Project Water Help funds, and other available funds to assist clients' emergency needs and people facing a crisis. Free food is also distributed.
Another key function of the Hamilton County or Chattanooga Human Service Youth and Family Development is to provide referrals, including to local churches or public aid. They have information on resources such as food stamps or low income LIHEAP for paying utility bills. Or call for applications on many other programs, even including disability. Read Chattanooga Human Service Youth and Family Development.
Signal Mountain Social Services is one agency that offers emergency assistance to residents of Signal Mountain Tennessee (within Hamilton County) for paying rent, utilities, free food, household goods, and clothing to low income individuals. Call (423) 886-5982.
People who live in eastern Hamilton County can contact The Samaritan Center in Ooltewah at (423) 238-7777. The agency is a community supported non-profit social services agency that provides health care and screening, emergency assistance with basic needs (food, housing, clothing, utilities, furniture, medicine, and rent), and run a thrift store. They also provide Christmas gifts from Toyland as well as the Stock Their Lockers school supply program..
Episcopal Metropolitan Ministry provides temporary financial assistance for rent (only at beginning of month) utility bills, prescription medicine, and passes out free food vouchers. Call (423) 624-9650.
First Centenary United Methodist Church - The charity may help with groceries, food and other financial needs and expenses upon demonstrated need. Vouchers may be provided in some cases to qualified low income and needy families. 419 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37401, 756-2021
HCSS Emergency Assistance Program offers a number of resources. The program may have limited financial assistance with paying for rent, food, mortgage payments, utility bills, and prescription medications. Grants and funds are made payable on behalf of Hamilton County residents.
Some of the other programs are part of the Power Share, Emergency Food and Shelter Board. There are also HUD partnered programs and vouchers, including emergency units. This includes Project Water Help, section 8 as well as the federal government Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing revenue. Address is 317 Oak St, Suite 103, Chattanooga, TN 37403. Call 423-209-6855 for intake. Or learn more on getting section 8 immediately.
Basic needs from Metropolitan Ministries can help in a crisis. The church based group can offer medications when a patient is faced with a life threatening condition. Chattanooga clients may also qualify for a voucher to buy food, applications for benefits such as LIHEAP or SSDI disability, eyes glasses, and even limited financial aid for rent to stop an eviction. Rent assistance is provided from the 1-15th of each month. Electric assistance is provided from the 15th to the end of each month. Free food vouchers and other forms of utility bill assistance (water, sewer, heating, and gas bills) are provided all month long.
Support is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. The charity is open at 8am and provide assistances to 35 guests each of those days, on a first-come, first-served basis. Wednesday is reserved for seniors age 62 and older. Appointments are not taken. More on Chattanooga Metropolitan Ministries assistance.
Community Services or Social Services of Hamilton County at 921 East Third St, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health Department, may offer short term assistance in a crisis. Grants may be provided using sources such as Emergency Food and Shelter Board, Project Water Help, and Re-Housing. Funds may help with paying security deposits, rent, and energy costs. Other bills such as those for prescription medications or food may be covered.
Assists with food, utilities and/or rent for those in need that meet income criteria. There are also free food vouchers among other anti-poverty and welfare type programs. Those seeking assistance from Social Services must provide identification of current address they reside at now (picture id, bill will address on it). Phone - (423) 209-8374.
Burks United Methodist Church may have food vouchers. People from the community can only access this assistance a few times, so use it only when faced with a dire circumstance. May have referrals to other local food banks. The church is located at 6433 Hixson Pike in the city of Hixson, Tennessee 37343. Call 842-4219.
Hamilton County credit and debt reduction agencies - There are several non-profits and free services. Case managers assist with loans, credit card or car payments, and other bills. Budgeting and financial literacy is also part of this. Even learn about services such as refinancing credit card debts.
White Oak United Methodist – Occasionally may have up to $25 for utilities. Free food may be offered too. 2232 Lyndon Ave, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37415, phone 877-6042
Neediest Case Fund/Partnership for Families, Children and Adults – Assistance is only for longer term clients, and not everyone qualifies. A wide array of financial assistance programs and social services may be offered, including Gas, Water and Electric Service Payment Assistance, Food Vouchers, Mortgage and Rent Payment Assistance, Food Vouchers, and Emergency Shelter. 1800 McCallie Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37404, telephone 697-7130
Northminster Presbyterian Church - Helps with paying utility bills in the 37416 zip code area only. 4791 Hal Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416, dial 894-3773
Silverdale Baptist Church – Offers limited amounts of financial assistance for energy bills and housing, as well as providing a place of worship. 7236 Bonny Oaks Drive, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, phone 892-2173
Some Hamilton County Tennessee religious groups are listed above and below. But there are other churches in the region as well. Each offers their own type of service, based on donation, funding, and other factors. The working poor, seniors living on a fixed income, and residents living in poverty may offer groceries, referrals to car repairs, and other assistance programs. More on Hamilton County and Chattanooga churches.
First Presbyterian Church/Food Vouchers - Occasional financial aid when need is demonstrated. Also gives out food vouchers. May have some job finding assistance, including information on federal government job programs such as Workforce Investment Act. Read more, or stop by 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402, phone 267-1206
Ladies of Charity - Food vouchers are offered if people have not received vouchers from any other social agency during that time. Also aid is not offered to single member households unless the client is over the age of 55. Most assistance is provided to families with children. May also have clothing, diapers, funds for emergency expenses, holiday items, and other aid. 2821 Rossville Blud, Chattanooga, TN 37404, phone (423) 698-2846
Gently used clothing, free furniture and household supplies are available. The demand can be met by providing the goods directly to the applicant (provided they are qualified) or the client may be given a voucher to shop at a local free clothing or furniture bank or thrift store. There may be free clothes for work attire, furniture, school supplies for students, boots, backpacks, and many other items. More on free clothing closets, furniture banks and school supplies in Hamilton County.
Organizations for holiday help - Children from low income families are a focus of several faith based groups, charities, and non-profits. The locations will have everything from free meals to Turkeys at Thanksgiving or Christmas as well as toys for children. Some locations may also allow parents to use vouchers to “shop” for what they need for the holiday’s. Locate free Hamilton County Christmas programs.
Empower Chattanooga provides free basic energy efficiency workshops. They assist households in Highland Park, East Chattanooga and East Lake. The workshops teach renters and also homeowners how they can save money on their utility bills by making free and low cost changes. It can also provide participants an in home workshop to no cost to them, and there they can learn how to implement the upgrades. Call 423.760.3571.
First Baptist Church of Soddy Daisy – May have some limited funding for utilities. 10185 Dayton Pk, Soddy Daisy, Tennessee 37379, dial 332-2814
Rent, housing, and shelter - A few dozen churches, charities, and non-profits across Chattanooga County Tennessee can help families pay their rent, avoid eviction, and get back on track financially. Cash, loans, and grants may be offered in a crisis, in particular if the family is facing an eviction and meets low income guidelines. Other services, such as job training or security deposit help and various social services may be provided too. More on rent assistance in Hamilton County.
Primary free or reduced price health care services
A local clinic, Primary Health Care Center, has as its mission the goal of providing high quality, free or very affordable and accessible preventive services, dental services, and primary health care to all individuals and families, regardless of ability to pay for their medical bills. Among other services they provide pediatrics, family medicine and dentistry. Call them at 706-657-7575 to make an appointment.
Southside Community Health Center is a local community clinic. (423) 778-2700.
Memorial Center has locations around Chattanooga TN. Call (423) 756-1506. They offer free medical care to patients, regardless of their ability to pay for their medical or doctor bills.
Medical loans closets are open in Chattanooga. There are several non-profits that help the elderly and disabled. They may give free crutches, wheelchairs, diabetes equipment, eye glasses, and more. Continue with places for free medical equipment.
Emergency food, free pantries and food banks
Rossville Church of Christ - Distributes food on Thursdays. (706) 866-1119
New Covenant Fellowship - Works with the Chattanooga Area Food Bank to distribute food and groceries. (423) 899-8001
Rivermont Presbyterian - (423) 877-8527 May have gas money and free food.
Click here to get the phone numbers and addresses of additional food pantries in the Hamilton County TN region. As there are holiday meals, soup kitchens, SNAP applications and more. Continue with free food pantries in Hamilton County TN.
Free legal aid in Chattanooga and Hamilton County TN
Legal Aid of East Tennessee ((865) 637-0484) provides pro-bono legal aid, including representation, consultations, advice, and foreclosure prevention services. Even get help with payday loan and predatory lending. Learn more on free Tennessee legal programs.
Foreclosure counseling
Chattanooga Neighborhood Enterprise (CNE) (phone (423) 756-6201) is a government-backed housing agency that helps homeowners who are behind on their mortgage or who are facing a foreclosure. They also help low income families buy a home through savings account, advice, and low cost loans.
CNE is among almost 50 local non-profit agencies and charities in Tennessee and 101 that are in Georgia who are counseling financially troubled homeowners under a 2-year-old foreclosure prevention effort that is funded by the Federal Neighborhood Works program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates those homeowners who got such foreclosure counseling were 60 percent more likely to keep their homes last year than those who got no such counseling.
When you contact CNE, their housing specialists will work with you and the mortgage lender to find a solution to your situation. They will try to work out a new repayment plan with the lender. Learn more on Tennessee foreclosure programs.
Financial Counselors of America is another HUD approved agency that provides free mortgage foreclosure counseling and assistance. The non-profit can help clients in achieving affordable loan and mortgage modifications, forbearance agreements, interest rate reductions, term extensions, and mortgage principal reductions. (901) 722-5000. Another option is Housing Info Line (423) 267-5223
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