Benefits
Tennessee Benefits for Older Adults
Tennessee has many programs that can help older adults pay for health care, drugs, food, energy bills, and property taxes on their home. This page lists each kind of help in Tennessee, what it pays for, and where to apply. The state or county agency makes the final decision on who gets help. You may qualify even if you own your home or get Social Security.
Kinds of benefits in Tennessee
The agency decides who qualifies. The limits below are the published figures — use them to see whether applying is worth your time.
Social Security in Tennessee
Social Security pays monthly benefits to retired workers, people with disabilities, and families of workers who have died. You can apply online, by phone, or at a local office. Bring proof of age, your Social Security number, and recent tax or work records. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify and how much you get.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Retirement, disability, and survivor benefits, and Medicare enrollment. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicaid for Older Tennesseans (TennCare and CHOICES)
Medicaid in Tennessee is called TennCare. It can pay for care that Medicare does not pay for, like long stays in a nursing home, help at home through CHOICES, and hospice. If you get SSI, you get TennCare. For CHOICES long-term care in 2026, your income can be up to $2,982 a month. TennCare decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Division of TennCare, Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration |
| What it covers | Health care Medicare does not pay for on its own, including long nursing home stays and help at home through CHOICES, some dental care, rides to care, and hospice. |
| How to apply | Apply at tenncareconnect.tn.gov or by calling TennCare Connect at 855-259-0701. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: CHOICES long-term care financial rules from the TennCare CHOICES page for 2026: income up to $2,982 a month (three times the SSI federal benefit rate), resources up to $2,000, and a Qualifying Income Trust may help if income is over the limit. People who get SSI get TennCare; the 2026 SSI income standard is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, with resources of $2,000 or $3,000 (TennCare SSI Cash Recipient policy, January 2026).; Ssi standard: Resources: Couple: 3000; Individual: 2000; Monthly income: Couple: 1491; Individual: 994; Long term care choices: Resources individual: 2000; Monthly income individual: 2982 |
| Source | Division of TennCare, Tennessee Department of Finance and Administration (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Medicare Savings Programs in Tennessee
Medicare Savings Programs in Tennessee help pay Medicare costs. QMB is for people with income up to the poverty level, and it pays premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium for people with a bit more income. You must have savings under $9,430 if you live alone. TennCare decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Division of TennCare (filed as Medicare Cost Sharing in the TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide) |
| What it covers | QMB pays Medicare Part A and Part B premiums plus deductibles and coinsurance. SLMB and QI pay the Part B premium only. QDWI pays the Part A premium for some workers with disabilities. |
| note | Bands from the TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide: QMB up to 100 percent of the poverty level, SLMB at least 100 but less than 120 percent, QI at least 120 but less than 135 percent, QDWI not more than 200 percent. Resource limit $9,430 for one person and $14,130 for two people (TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide). |
| resources — couple | $14,130 |
| resources — individual | $9,430 |
| How to apply | Apply through TennCare Connect at tenncareconnect.tn.gov or by calling 855-259-0701. |
| Source | Division of TennCare (filed as Medicare Cost Sharing in the TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide) (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
SNAP Food Benefits in Tennessee
SNAP in Tennessee puts money on an EBT card each month to help buy food. For one person, gross income can be up to $1,696 a month. If someone in the home is age 60 or older or has a disability, there is no gross test, only a net income test. The most one person can get is $298 a month. DHS decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Assistance Division |
| What it covers | Monthly money on an EBT card to buy food. |
| How to apply | Apply on the One DHS Customer Portal, by phone at 1-866-311-4287, or at your county DHS office. |
| Limits fy2026 | Note: Tennessee uses the standard federal SNAP tests (fiscal year 2026, October 1, 2025 to September 30, 2026): gross income up to 130 percent of the poverty level and net income up to 100 percent. Households with a person age 60 or older or with a disability skip the gross test. Resources up to $3,000, or $4,500 with a member age 60 or older or with a disability (Tennessee DHS income table).; Resources: Standard: 3000; Elderly disabled: 4500; Net monthly: Couple: 1763; Individual: 1305; Gross monthly: Couple: 2292; Individual: 1696; Max allotment: Couple: 546; Individual: 298 |
| Source | Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS), Family Assistance Division (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) in Tennessee
SSI pays each month to people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few savings. The federal rate in 2026 is $994 a month for one person. In Tennessee, people who get SSI also get TennCare Medicaid. The Social Security Administration decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) decides SSI in Tennessee; SSI brings TennCare Medicaid |
| What it covers | Monthly payments for people age 65 or older, blind, or disabled who have low income and few resources. People who get SSI in Tennessee get TennCare Medicaid. |
| How to apply | Apply with the Social Security Administration online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local office. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: The federal SSI rate for 2026 is $994 a month for one person and $1,491 for a couple, with resource limits of $2,000 and $3,000 (TennCare SSI Cash Recipient policy, January 2026). Tennessee does not add a regular state supplement. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) decides SSI in Tennessee; SSI brings TennCare Medicaid (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Extra Help With Medicare Drug Costs in Tennessee
Extra Help lowers the cost of Medicare drug plans. It can pay part of the premium and lower what you pay for each drug. You can apply with Social Security online or by phone. If you get a Medicare Savings Program or SSI, you are signed up on your own. Social Security decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Social Security Administration (SSA) |
| What it covers | Help paying Medicare Part D drug plan premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. |
| How to apply | Apply online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local Social Security office. People in a Medicare Savings Program are signed up on their own. |
| Source | Social Security Administration (SSA) (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Energy Help in Tennessee (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP in Tennessee helps pay heating and cooling bills. THDA runs the program through local agencies in every county. If your income is at or below 60 percent of the state median income, you may qualify for a one-time payment of $174 to $750, paid to your utility company. Apply online or with your local agency. The agency decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), through 19 local agencies covering all 95 counties |
| What it covers | One-time help paying heating and cooling bills, paid to your utility company. Help ranges from $174 to $750 based on how much of your income goes to energy costs. |
| note | Households at or below 60 percent of the Tennessee state median income may qualify (THDA LIHEAP page, 2025-2026 program). Assistance is one-time help while funding lasts, from $174 to $750. |
| How to apply | Apply online through the THDA LIHEAP page (SmartSimple) or with the local agency for your county. Applications for the 2025-2026 program opened November 1, 2025. |
| Source | Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), through 19 local agencies covering all 95 counties (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Property Tax Relief for Older Tennessee Homeowners
Tennessee can help pay part of your property tax if you own your home and live in it. For 2026, you may qualify if you are 65 or older and your 2025 income was $38,470 or less. The state pays the tax on up to $33,600 of your home's value. Apply with your county trustee when your tax bill comes. The trustee decides if you may qualify.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury; you apply with your county trustee (or city collecting official) |
| What it covers | The state pays part or all of the property tax on your main home. It is a reimbursement program, not an exemption: you still get a tax bill and must pay your taxes. |
| How to apply | Apply with your county trustee when you get your 2026 property tax bill. The deadline is 35 days after the delinquency date, and taxes must be paid by that date. |
| Limits 2026 | Note: 2026 Property Tax Relief Brochure (Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury): elderly homeowners must be age 65 on or before December 31, 2026, with maximum 2025 income of $38,470 counting the applicant, spouse, co-owner, and resident remainder. Relief is figured on up to $33,600 of market value for elderly and disabled homeowners, and up to $175,000 for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. |
| Source | Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury; you apply with your county trustee (or city collecting official) (www.comptroller.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Aging Services in Tennessee (Area Agencies on Aging and Disability)
Tennessee has nine Area Agencies on Aging and Disability, one for each part of the state. They can set up meals, rides, help at home, and support for family caregivers. Call 1-866-836-6678 and tell them what help you need. The agency will tell you what you may qualify for.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging and the nine Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAADs) |
| What it covers | Meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support, long-term care ombudsman help, and help finding local services for older adults. |
| How to apply | Call the statewide aging line at 1-866-836-6678 to reach the AAAD for your county. |
| Source | Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging and the nine Area Agencies on Aging and Disability (AAADs) (eldercare.acl.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Free Medicare Counseling in Tennessee (TN SHIP)
TN SHIP gives free Medicare help in Tennessee. Trained counselors can explain your plan choices, compare drug costs, and help you apply for programs that pay Medicare costs. The help is free and private, and the counselors do not sell plans. Call 1-877-801-0044 to reach TN SHIP.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP), Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging |
| What it covers | Free, one-on-one help to compare Medicare plans, drug plans, and Medicare Savings Programs. Counselors do not promote any insurance agency. |
| How to apply | Call TN SHIP at 1-877-801-0044 or email [email protected]. |
| Source | Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP), Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Applying for Benefits in Tennessee (DHS and TennCare Connect)
You can apply for most Tennessee benefits through two doors. DHS handles SNAP food help, online on the One DHS Customer Portal or at a county DHS office. TennCare Connect handles health coverage and help with Medicare costs. Bring proof of who you are, where you live, your income, and your bills. Each agency decides if you may qualify for its programs.
| Program details | |
|---|---|
| Agency | Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Division of TennCare |
| What it covers | DHS is the place to apply for SNAP food help and Families First cash help. TennCare Connect is the place to apply for TennCare health coverage and Medicare Savings Programs. |
| How to apply | Apply for SNAP on the One DHS Customer Portal or at a county DHS office. Apply for TennCare at tenncareconnect.tn.gov or by calling 855-259-0701. |
| Source | Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Division of TennCare (www.tn.gov) — checked November 9, 2026 |
Good to know in Tennessee
- Medicaid in Tennessee is called TennCare. People who get SSI get TennCare, and Social Security decides SSI in Tennessee. For long-term care through TennCare CHOICES, your income can be up to $2,982 a month in 2026, which is three times the SSI federal benefit rate, and the things you own can be worth up to $2,000. If your income is over the limit, you may be able to set up a Qualifying Income Trust (TennCare CHOICES page).
- Tennessee Medicare Savings Programs follow the TennCare bands: QMB for income up to 100 percent of the poverty level, SLMB from 100 to 120 percent, QI from 120 to 135 percent, and QDWI up to 200 percent. The resource limit in the TennCare Eligibility Reference Guide is $9,430 for one person and $14,130 for two people.
- Food help in Tennessee is SNAP, run by the Department of Human Services (DHS). Tennessee uses the standard gross limit of 130 percent of the poverty level, which is $1,696 a month for one person, and a net limit of $1,305. The most one person can get is $298 a month (fiscal year 2026, October 2025 to September 2026). Most households can have up to $3,000 in resources, or $4,500 if a person in the home is age 60 or older or has a disability. Apply on the One DHS Customer Portal or at a county DHS office.
- Energy help in Tennessee is LIHEAP, run by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) through 19 local agencies that cover all 95 counties. Households at or below 60 percent of the state median income may qualify. Help ranges from $174 to $750 and is paid to your utility company, not to you. Applications for the 2025-2026 program opened November 1, 2025 (THDA).
- Tennessee property tax relief is a state program run by the Comptroller of the Treasury, and you apply with your county trustee. For 2026, homeowners age 65 or older may qualify if their 2025 income was $38,470 or less. The state pays the tax on up to $33,600 of your home's market value, or up to $175,000 for disabled veterans. Some counties also offer a tax freeze that locks in your tax amount.
Free local help
Three national programs connect you to help in your own community, at no cost: