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Community action agency assistance programs in Tennessee
Programs offered from the TN community action agencies providing short term emergency assistance and long term self-sufficiency to low-income families or individuals. Get help in applying for grants to pay bills, including electric or rent, and can get support from the agencies.
Clients will also be signed up for case management and self-sufficiency support that is available from the community action agency.
Government grants for bills, food and emergency help from TN community action
Community action agency assistance programs in Tennessee:
Find help from a TN community action that is located near you.
Most of the agencies have limited funding, and the types of programs they offer can change. Apply for free hardship grants to help with bills, commodity food programs, energy bill help in TN and more.
Some of the more common examples of what can be offered from a community action agency in Tennessee are below. Receive more information on services offered by calling a center.
Tennessee Community action agency job, employment, and educational services
Government grants for bills, food and emergency help from TN community action The: Tennessee Community Service Block Grant Program is the name given to many of the financial resources offered.
It can provide a range of activities, social services, and assistance programs to eligible low-income individuals and families. Any type of aid distributed is offered to help people achieve self-sufficiency over the mid to long term.
Some examples of what CSBG can pay for include: Emergency financial help
is offered using a grant. This can include one-time cash grant payments to individuals or families in order to help them pay for bills during a short term hardship. Examples from a TN community action agency can be money to pay rent (if faced with an eviction) or the federal government and state of Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Get money to fix a car for work, community action agency funds to pay for moving costs and other assistance. The: Commodity Food Program
is offered in partnership with the U. S. Department of Agriculture. It distributes surplus foods to qualifying low income households a few times per year, with a focus on kids and senior citizens over the age of 60. Many local charities, churches, and organizations like the Salvation Army in Tennessee participate as well.
Eligibility for the commodity food program will be based on total household income as well as number of family members. Qualified individuals can typically receive 40-45 pounds of food, including surplus USDA Commodities such as cheese, dairy, bread or milk. The box may contain canned fruits and vegetables, rice, beans, corn, juice, soup, spaghetti, powdered milk, nuts, peanut butter, dried fruit, and similar items.
Any assistance is offered on a first come, first served basis, including to people on Food Stamps, as resources are limited. Learn more on what SNAP can buy Housing rehabilitation may be offered. Government grants and/or low interest rate loans are used to rehabilitate homes and to bring them into compliance with the International Building Code.
Many people, in particular the elderly, are able to continue to live in their homes and remain independent from the repairs. As indicated, priority is given to disabled low income homeowners or the elderly. HOME Services is a similar resource. It also promotes the production, preservation and rehabilitation of housing units for the very low income.
Low income, seniors in Tennessee and/or disabled applicants must occupy the home and they also need to possess a deed verifying ownership of property. Mobile homes can be replaced or repaired as well.
Programs for seniors in Tennessee
Community action agencies in Tennessee accept applications for the: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program/LIHEAP . It will provide a cash grant, or credit, on your monthly utility, heating, or electric bills. If you are faced with a shut off of your power, then the Energy Crisis intervention component provides services to qualified households which are subject to disconnection and life-threatening conditions.
If your health is at risk without immediate intervention, then look into LIHEAP crisis grants or also find out utility disconnection laws for health issues The objective of the LIHEAP program is to aid working poor, seniors, and low-income households with the high cost of home heating or air conditioning bills.
People may apply at designated times each year, and it is usually in the September timeframe. For the crisis component referenced above, clients need to have a disconnect notice for their utilities or have less than a 30-day supply of home heating fuel. Or look here for how to get LIHEAP in TN Other
energy bill assistance programs from community action may be offered as well. Many centers offer emergency help with paying utility bills, including light, gas, propane or other fuel costs.
They use funding sources such as the federal government Emergency Food and Shelter Program and local utility company programs as well, such as Share the Warmth. Free energy efficiency improvements
are part of the Weatherization Assistance Program. While the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides funding to Tennessee, the program is administered in your local town and county.
It will help reduce heating and cooling bills. The improvements made to your home are permanent, so they help reduce utility bills year after year.
Case management, guidance, and self-sufficiency
Funds and grants from the government are used to improve the energy performance of homes or apartments of needy Tennessee families, and all of this is done as part of weatherization. Contractors will use the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available to ensure the effectiveness. Homeowners can receive updates such as insulation, caulking, and heating or cooling system tune ups.
The: Summer Food Program is for children, teenagers and students. It will make sure that during the summer months children and students from low income families have good nutritious meals available to them. This is meant to replace the meals that students usually get from food served during the school year through breakfast and lunch programs.
Food banks, pantries and groceries
may be located at community action agencies in Tennessee. Or the staff can direct families (or anyone in need) to a resource. Many are open daily and give emergency groceries today and really any day of the week. Find a food pantry near you open today
Locations and addresses of TN community action agencies
Rental and housing assistance is offered as part of the Tennessee Housing Choice Voucher Program. Government aid helps low income families obtain safe and sanitary housing in the state at an affordable price. Learn more on
Section 8 housing in Tennessee The state of: Tennessee Medical-Support Program
provides assistance to those who do not have prescription drug or adequate health insurance coverage. The program, and your local community action agency, also helps eligible participants with receiving health care supplies.
Nutrition Programs are offered as part of the: Tennessee Emergency Food Assistance Program as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Agencies can provide canned goods and non-perishable food items to eligible people and families. The program also teaches proper nutrition and helps participants make wise decisions with their food stamp vouchers.
Tennessee Community action agency job, employment, and educational services The: Educational Opportunity Center
is another federal government program and is paid for by the U.S. Department of Education. This resource is targeted at low-income, potential first generation college clients. It will assist those students who do not have a high school diploma, and the program will help them earn a GED.
After that occurs, the goal is to enable those with diplomas or the equivalent to enroll in college, job training or technical programs. The state of Tennessee and the EOC provides assistance in completing forms such as financial aid applications and admission paperwork.
The project also provides additional services to students including career assessment, GED pre-testing, referrals for basic computer skills, tutoring, and college loan default help.
Some locations may refer to this service as: Upward Bound
, and it is very similar. It will identify first-generation and low-income students with potential for education at post-secondary level. It will encourage them to complete high school as well as apply for college or additional job training. The main
employment and job training program from community action in Tennessee is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. There is also a component that focuses on youth. The main purpose of the program is to provide individuals and the youth across Tennessee with services, education, and experience to enhance their future employability.
A broad range of coordinated services are available to assist the youth in meeting their career and academic goals. The Workforce Investment Act/WIOA can provide for the following. Tutoring and studies skills to youth and people going back to school: Paid and unpaid work experience and internships: Alternative secondary school services: Guidance, case management and counseling services: Basic computer skills training: Adult mentoring: Summer and holiday employment for youth or teens in Tennessee: Leadership development skills and enhancement: Occupational skills training: Ongoing support services are provided for one year after completion of the program Resume review and development: The goal of WIOA is to improve the opportunity for everyone on the economic ladder.
Case managers, teachers, and volunteers will work with individuals in Tennessee and empower them. Services will help them contribute to the
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