When things feel uncertain, Tennessee has benefits programs that can help, including TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid), SNAP, Families First cash help, and child care payment help. Food, cash, and child care help start at One DHS, and TennCare starts at TennCare Connect. SSDI and SSI go through Social Security, and VA disability goes through the VA.
Tennessee benefits programs at a glance
Program | What it helps with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) | Monthly income when a health condition stops you from working | Social Security Administration (SSA), or with Turnout |
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) | Monthly income for people with disabilities or older adults with very limited income | SSA, or with Turnout |
VA Disability | Tax-free monthly payments for conditions connected to military service | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
Medicaid | Health coverage through TennCare | TennCare Connect |
ACA Subsidies (Affordable Care Act) | Lower monthly costs for marketplace health plans | HealthCare.gov |
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy | Health insurance for older adults and some people with disabilities, plus help using it | SSA to enroll, Turnout for advocacy |
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) | Money for groceries | One DHS |
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) | Healthy food and nutrition support for families with young children | A local WIC office |
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) | Help paying energy bills | Your local LIHEAP agency |
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) | Cash help and job support for families with children | One DHS |
EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) | A bigger tax refund for working people | Your federal tax return |
Child Tax Credit | Lower taxes for families with children | Your federal tax return |
Child Care Assistance (CCAP, Child Care Assistance Program) | Help paying for child care | One DHS |
IEP (Individualized Education Program) / Education Advocacy | Special education support at school | Your child's school, or with Turnout |
Disability and income
SSDI
SSDI pays monthly benefits to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can't work now because of a serious medical condition. In Tennessee, Disability Determination Services (DDS), part of the Department of Human Services' Division of Rehabilitation Services, reviews medical records and makes the medical decision on claims for SSA. You apply through SSA online, by phone, or at a Social Security office. If you'd like one-on-one help, you can apply for SSDI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's disability benefits page and SSA's guide to applying for disability.
SSI
SSI is a monthly payment for people with very limited income and savings who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. In Tennessee, DDS also reviews SSI disability claims. DDS makes these decisions at both the first application and reconsideration stages. If you get SSI, you may also qualify for TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program. You apply for SSI through SSA online, by phone, or at a local office. For one-on-one help, you can apply for SSI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's SSI page and TennCare's page for members and applicants.
VA Disability
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans with illnesses or injuries connected to their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decides claims and assigns a disability rating. In Tennessee, the Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) helps veterans with state benefits, including property tax relief for some disabled veterans. Ask TDVS or a VA-accredited representative if you'd like help filing a claim. Turnout doesn't represent veterans in VA claims, but you can learn more on Turnout's veterans benefits page.
Official resources: VA's disability compensation rates and TDVS property tax relief for disabled veterans.
Health coverage
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. In Tennessee, Medicaid is called TennCare, and the state also offers CoverKids for children and pregnant women and the Katie Beckett Program for some children with disabilities or complex medical needs. You can apply at TennCare Connect online, by calling 855-259-0701, or with a paper application. You can also get help applying at any DHS office in Tennessee's 95 counties. If you have a disability, your local Area Agency on Aging and Disability can even come to your home to help.
Official resources: TennCare's eligibility reference guide and Medicaid.gov.
ACA Subsidies
ACA subsidies are tax credits that lower what you pay each month for a health plan you buy on the marketplace. Tennessee uses the federal marketplace, so residents shop and enroll at HealthCare.gov. You can also apply for TennCare through HealthCare.gov. You can enroll at HealthCare.gov or call 800-318-2596. The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance can answer questions about health insurance. Most people enroll during yearly open enrollment, but life changes like losing coverage can let you enroll at other times.
Official resources: the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance's health insurance information.
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities, and you enroll through SSA. In Tennessee, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), under the Department of Disability and Aging, offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling. TennCare also takes applications for Medicare Savings Programs, which can help pay Medicare premiums and cost-sharing. When coverage isn't working, like a denial or a confusing bill, you can get one-on-one help from Turnout's healthcare advocacy team.
Official resources: Medicare.gov and Tennessee SHIP.
Food and nutrition
SNAP
SNAP gives households money each month to buy groceries. In Tennessee, the Department of Human Services (TDHS) runs SNAP, and benefits come on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card. You can apply online through One DHS, TDHS's online portal, where you can also track your case and upload documents. If you'd rather get help in person, you can visit a DHS office in any of Tennessee's 95 counties. TDHS also offers live chat and email help for family assistance programs.
Official resources: TDHS SNAP and the federal SNAP program.
WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new moms, infants, and children under five. In Tennessee, the Department of Health runs WIC through local offices. WIC staff can also connect you with other health and community services. To start, find a WIC office near you and call to set up an appointment. At your appointment, staff will check whether you qualify and explain how to use your benefits. You don't need to be on another program to apply.
Official resources: the federal WIC program from USDA.
Home and cash help
LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps households with limited income pay home energy bills. In Tennessee, the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) oversees LIHEAP, and local agencies across the state take applications. Help goes toward your energy costs and is based on things like your household's income and size. Help depends on available funding. To start, find your LIHEAP agency through THDA. Ask your local agency what documents to bring, like proof of income and a recent energy bill.
Official resources: the federal LIHEAP program.
TANF
TANF gives temporary cash help to families with children who have little or no income. In Tennessee, TANF is called Families First, and the Department of Human Services runs it. Families First pairs cash help with support to help parents move toward work. You can apply online through One DHS or at a DHS office in your county. After you apply, you can check your case and upload documents online through One DHS. TDHS also offers live chat and email help.
Official resources: TDHS's Families First page.
Tax credits
EITC
The EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can lower what you owe or increase your refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Tennessee as in every other state, and you claim it on your federal tax return. You need to file a return to get it, even if you don't usually have to file. You can check the EITC rules at IRS.gov to see if you qualify.
Official resources: the IRS's 2026 tax inflation adjustments.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit lowers federal taxes for families raising qualifying children, and part of it can come back as a refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Tennessee as in every other state. You claim it on your federal tax return. Keep your children's Social Security numbers handy when you file. You can check the Child Tax Credit rules at IRS.gov to see if you qualify. If you'd like free help filing, IRS-certified VITA volunteers prepare returns for people who qualify.
Official resources: Schedule 8812 (Form 1040) from the IRS.
Children and education
Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance helps families with limited income pay for child care. In Tennessee, it's called Child Care Payment Assistance, and the Department of Human Services runs it. It helps eligible families pay for care so parents can work, go to school, or train for a job. You can apply online through One DHS, which has a separate Child Care Payment Assistance application. One DHS also has a tool to help you find child care near you. Check the TDHS page for current eligibility rules.
Official resources: TDHS Child Care Payment Assistance.
IEP / Education Advocacy
An IEP is a written plan for a child with a disability that spells out the special education services the school will provide. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives your child this right. In Tennessee, the Department of Education (TDOE) oversees special education in public schools. Ask your child's school for an evaluation in writing. If you'd like someone in the meeting with you, Turnout's education advocacy team starts with a free case review.
Official resources: TDOE special education for families and the federal IDEA website.
What this means for you
- Start with the right portal. Use One DHS for SNAP, Families First, and child care help, and TennCare Connect for health coverage.
- Gather your papers before you apply: ID, proof of address, recent pay stubs, and any medical or school records.
- Find your local LIHEAP agency for energy help. THDA's page lists the agencies that take applications.
- Apply for federal programs on their own. SSDI, SSI, VA disability, marketplace plans, and tax credits have their own applications.
FAQ
Where can I get in-person help applying in Tennessee?
You can visit a DHS office in any of Tennessee's 95 counties for help with TennCare and other programs. You can also call TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701.
Are there TennCare options for children?
Yes. CoverKids helps children and pregnant women, and the Katie Beckett Program helps some children with disabilities or complex medical needs who wouldn't usually qualify for TennCare.
Who decides disability claims in Tennessee?
SSA takes your application, and Tennessee Disability Determination Services, part of the Department of Human Services, makes the medical decision on SSDI and SSI claims. DDS handles both the first application and reconsideration, which is when you ask SSA to take another look.
Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice
It's your turn
You don't have to sort through all 14 programs on your own. Turnout's free Tennessee benefits scan asks a few plain-language questions about your household and income, then shows which programs you may qualify for. It takes about three minutes and gives you a clear place to start today.