Government Benefits Available to Tennessee Citizens

National School Breakfast and Lunch Program for Tennessee

School Assistance in TN

The School Breakfast and Lunch Programs are for the public school systems, charter schools, private schools, and residential childcare institutions. The programs are available to all students. The meal cost varies based on the household income. Meals must meet nutrition standards established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Special Milk Program for Tennessee

School Assistance in TN

The Special Milk Program provides milk to children in schools, childcare institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs, can participate in the Special Milk Program for half-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children who do not have access to a school meals program. The program reimburses schools and institutions for the milk they serve.

Summer Food Service Program for Tennessee

Women and Children in TN

The Tennessee Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to children who would normally receive free or reduced price meals when school is in session. SFSP helps children to maintain a nutritious diet and helps their families to stretch their food dollars during the summer months. The program is offered in many and various locations such as parks, playgrounds, housing authorities, day camps, churches, community centers, etc. Often the SFSP meal service is combined with learning and recreational activities for the children.

Tennessee Families First

Living Assistance in TN

Families First is Tennesseee’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It is temporary and has a primary focus on gaining self-sufficency through employment. The Families First program helps participants reach this goal by providing transportation, child care assistance, education, job training, employment activities, and other support services. Temporary cash assistance is also provided to families with dependent children and the family is unable to pay for essential living expenses. As part of the Families First program, each participant must agree to follow a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP). Unless a participant is exempt from the work requirement, he/she must also agree to develop, follow, and complete a work plan. The work plan is based on the individual's needs and skills.

Tennessee Food Stamp Program

Food Stamps in TN

The Tennessee Food Stamp program, financed 100 percent by Federal funds and administered by the Department of Human Services, provides nutritional assistance benefits to children and families, the elderly, the disabled, unemployed and working families. Its importance as a safety net cannot be overemphasized because it provides a mechanism for stretching food dollars for those families and individuals with insufficient income or resources to meet all of their needs. Since the nationwide implementation of the Food Stamp program in 1964, malnutrition has been virtually eliminated; however, hunger and food insecurity continues to exist at unacceptable levels in every state. As a result, a national campaign to end hunger has been initiated by USDA's Food and Nutrition Services. For Tennessee and other states in the southeast region, a goal has been set to eliminate hunger by 2005.

To receive food stamp benefits, you must first apply for benefits and participate in an interview with DHS staff. If eligible, you will receive a Benefit Security Card or EBT Card, which allows food stamp benefits to be issued and accessed electronically.

Applying for benefits is just the first step. You will need to work with your local DHS office to confirm your eligibility.

Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Energy Assistance in TN

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is 100 percent federally funded through a grant from the Federal Department of Health and Human Services. LIHEAP provides funds to the states to help meet the utility costs of low-income eligible elderly and disabled adults. The program is administered through contracts to a network of 20 established non-profit and local government agencies experienced in providing energy assistance programs. Services are available in all 95 counties. Eligibility is based on established federal poverty guidelines. Activities consist of a special summer cooling program ($325 max. payment) and regular and emergency heating assistance ($250 max. payment). Eligible applicants can receive assistance once per year from two of the three programs. The assistance is in the form of a payment to the utility company or home energy provider.

Tennessee Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Women and Children in TN

In Tennessee, the WIC program provides nutritious education, health care referrals, breastfeeding support and supplemental nutritious foods to nearly 150,000 women, infants, and children under the age of five through departments in 95 counties. The program services to certify participants and issue vouchers for the foods are provided at approximately 155 local health departments, primary care, and hospital sites throughout the state. Vouchers are issued in three month increments, and can be redeemed at one of the approximately 1,200 participating grocery stores in Tennessee that have contracts with the Tennessee Department of Health to redeem WIC vouchers.

Tennessee TennCare

Medicaid and Medicare in TN

TennCare is a program providing health insurance to people who are eligible for Medicaid and to certain other people who lack access to insurance. A managed care model is used for delivering program benefits. Enrollees choose a Managed Care Organization for most of their health and acute care needs. They receive covered mental health and substance abuse services through a Behavioral Health Organization. They receive covered dental services through a Dental Benefits Manager and covered pharmacy services through the state's Pharmacy Benefits Manager. Enrollees must verify at regular intervals that they continue to meet the eligibility criteria for the program.

Tennessee Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Assistance in TN

The Federal-State Unemployment Insurance Program provides unemployment benefits to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own (as determined under Tennessee law, and meet other eligibility requirements of Tennessee law.

• Unemployment insurance (UI) payments (benefits) are intended to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers who meet the requirements of Tennessee law.

• Tennessee administers a separate unemployment insurance program within guidelines established by Federal law. 

Tennessee Weatherization Assistance Program

Energy Assistance in TN

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is 100 percent federally funded through a grant from the Federal Department of Energy. The program provides funds to states to assist with the weatherization of the homes of low income elderly and disabled adults and families. The program is administered through contracts with an established network of 19 non-profit agencies and local governments experienced in providing weatherization services. WAP services are available in all 95 counties. Applicants must meet low-income eligibility guidelines based on established Federal poverty guidelines. Activities include: insulation, storm windows, caulking, and other related activities to reduce home energy costs and increase home energy efficiency.