Hamilton County assistance programs.

Find how to get help with bills

There are several 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 :

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 :

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 :

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. So if you qualify for LIHEAP, ask for weatherization as well.

 

 

 

Utility Bill Assistance :

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.

Prescription Medication Assistance :

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 medications.

Food Aid :

Food assistance is also available from Social Services workers that are part of CHS. Recipients of aid are provided with resources so that they can go to the food market or grocery store and purchase desired food items. 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. 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.

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.

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 in achieving affordable loan and mortgage modifications, forbearance agreements, interest rate reductions, term extensions, and principal reductions. (901) 722-5000. Another option is Housing Info Line (423) 267-5223

 

 

Salvation Army

A local branch, known as the Social Services Ministry in East Lake, will provide assistance and empower families and individuals to work towards long term self-sufficiency by providing emergency utility bill assistance, food boxes and vouchers for groceries, and even rental assistance. Nearly 19,000 persons were assisted last year. (423) 698-4484

Emergency financial assistance for bills

Catholic Charities - Chattanooga (phone 423.267.1297) runs an emergency and intervention program. 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.

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 holiday (Christmas and Thanksgiving) assistance. Call the Chattanooga agency at (423) 698-3178.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Emergency food 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 has gas money and free food.

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.