Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council assistance programs.
Economic self-sufficiency combined with financial aid from Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council is an option for low income families. The non-profit, community action agency assists residents of Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Benton, Lake, Gibson, Obion, Weakley, and Henry Counties.
While funding is limited, as it mostly relies on federal grants such as United States Department of Agriculture or Emergency Solutions, it is a possibility. Any support will also be paid out on a first come and served basis to income qualified families, and the money from these programs can help with everything from rent arrears to stop an eviction to food as a form of hunger prevention.
Support for food in Northwest Tennessee
The TEFAP Emergency Food Assistance Program provides nutritious items to families, with a focus on children and seniors. The solutions is available in partnership with organizations such as the Tennessee Department of Agriculture and USDA.
As part of this service, the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council holds quarterly distributions of food at its county service centers, including in Gibson, Crockett, Henry and others. To be eligible for support, the applicant’s income must fall below 150 percent of the poverty guidelines.
TEFAP can also assist people who are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as Food Stamps. Other applicants may be on benefits such as Families First, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), or they may reside in public housing. The TEFAP program works to provide as wide a variety of highly nutritious foods as the availability of funding allows.
Available food items from Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council may include, but are not limited to, vegetables, fruits, canned meats, and fruit juices. There may also be dried beans and fruit; spaghetti and sauce; vegetable soup; vegetable mix; peanut butter; instant milk; UHT 2-percent milk; applesauce; rice and more.
While much more limited, the Economic Development Council provides further support for the activities of TEFAP by furnishing cash assistance. The funds will also need to be used by eligible applicants to purchase food in counties including Crockett or Benton. Information on nutrition classes and referrals to other community service agencies are also available to income-eligible food pantry clients.
Home Delivered Meals helps to ensure that no one in the service area goes hungry. This is accomplished by staff from the community action agency delivering hot, balanced meals to the disabled or home bound. There may also be special Thanksgiving and Christmas meals served in Benton, Lake, and other counties.
Funding and referrals to Meals on Wheels are provided by the Area Agency on Aging, and the food is delivered for free by volunteers or program staff members. Home-delivered frozen meals that can be heated and eaten throughout the week. Other supplies from the service include bagged groceries, and Ensure are also available to clients who live in remote areas of the county.
The volunteers from the organization become much more than just delivery people to clients, as they also offer a face to communication with the client. They represent contact with another person, and also offer families the security of knowing that someone checks on the senior each weekday.
Funds for bills and rent from Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council
Grants are part of Emergency Assistance Program. This resource provides financial assistance, loans, information, and referrals to households dealing with emergency situations. Depending on the availability of donations and government funding, the agency can furnish a payment equal to one month’s rent or mortgage payment. Each applicant to Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council must be able to prove their income, and that they are experiencing a verifiable emergency situation. if not qualified, then find other loan organizations.
Emergency Solutions Grant is another housing focused program. The goal is to eliminate homelessness, so there may be money available for rent or utility bills to stop evictions. It will also ensure that no one remains homeless for more than 30 days. This is to be accomplished through homeless prevention or rapid rehousing services that may include funds for security deposits; payments to clear up past utility arrearages on an account, and also help with finding housing in the region.
The LIHEAP - Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program offers Regular Energy and Emergency Crisis Assistance in Tennessee. The NW Tennessee Community Action Agency funds can be used for paying heating, gas, and electric bills, and the financial aid is for very low-income households. The focus is on people whose home energy bills comprise a disproportionate amount of their annual income. More on Tennessee LIHEAP.
Employment and financial stability resources
Economic Stability targets families looking for guidance, help and support. Case managers from Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council partner with the client on gaining an understanding of budgeting.
There is tips on opening a bank account, low interest loan information; and how to determine whether they may be eligible for programs and services. Components of this service include Budgeting Classes and Ongoing Support, income tax assistance such as VITA, and general Financial Literacy Education. There are also courses on saving money on a low income.
The Linkage Companionship and Assessment is a form of individualized case management. All of the services administered will be based on the results of a family needs assessment. The program’s purpose is to offer assistance and support as the client works toward the goal of being stable.
As part of this, they also offer companionship and advocacy to the elderly, isolated, disabled, and others who are unable to meet these needs on their own. Northwest Tennessee Economic Development also assists these individuals as they work to reach their potential for self-sufficiency.
In addition, the community action agency service center staff members from locations such as Obion or Lake participate in various community-level projects and outreach activities. There is also special distributions of donated clothing and household goods during the holidays, and during other events throughout the year, such as school.
Employment Support Program places Senior Aides, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), an Workforce participants in job-skills training. The goal of the program is help them gain a greater level of skills and enhance their employability.
Community Action agency applications for Northwest Tennessee
As noted, several different counties are supported by the non-profit. For more information, the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council is located at 231 S. Wilson St., Dresden, TN 38225. Call 731-364-3228.
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