Community Support for Single Mothers in Tennessee

Where to start

Start with the problem that has the nearest deadline or the greatest effect on your children. A court date, shutoff, unsafe home, no food, or no place to sleep should come before a general search for long-term help.

Quick reference: first calls by need

Tennessee 211 and Community Action

Use 211 for current local openings

Tennessee 211 is a free information and referral service. It is useful when you do not know which agency serves your address or when a local program has closed its intake. Ask the specialist to check hours, service area, application method, and documents.

You can also text BENEFITS to 211211 to use the free Benefit Kitchen screener. It can show possible public benefits and tax credits, but the result is only a screening. You must still apply through the official program.

Community Action covers every county

Tennessee has 19 Community Action agencies serving all 95 counties. Use the Community Action locator to find the correct agency. County boundaries matter. An agency in a nearby city may not serve your home address.

Services vary, but agencies may offer LIHEAP, weatherization, Head Start, transportation, nutrition help, employment support, home repairs, or case management. Call before visiting because not every agency has emergency cash or rent funds.

ASMOM’s Community Action guide explains how these agencies work and what to ask during intake.

Food, groceries, and summer help

Use local food programs for immediate groceries and SNAP for longer-term help. The official Tennessee SNAP page links to the application and eligibility information. The One DHS Contact Center number is 833-772-8347.

A federal court ruling halted the Healthy SNAP Tennessee purchase restrictions that had been planned for July 31, 2026. The state says implementation is suspended. Use normal federal SNAP purchase rules unless Tennessee posts a new official update.

For local food, use the Tennessee food bank finder to identify the regional bank serving your county. Middle Tennessee families can search the Second Harvest locator. West Tennessee families can use the Mid-South food finder, while East Tennessee families can search the East Tennessee pantry map.

Call before going. A food bank warehouse may not hand food directly to families. Many use partner pantries and mobile sites. ASMOM’s Tennessee SNAP guide covers expedited food benefits and EBT steps.

WIC and summer food

Tennessee WIC helps eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum people, infants, and children under 5. Call 800-342-5942 or use the Tennessee WIC page to find a clinic. ASMOM’s Tennessee WIC guide explains the appointment and documents.

In summer 2026, Tennessee is not offering statewide federal SUN Bucks. Instead, a state Summer Nutrition Initiative provides a one-time $120 payment for eligible children in 13 selected counties. The 2026 nutrition update says qualifying children must have been ages 5 through 18, in an active SNAP or Families First case on May 31, and living in a listed county. No application is required.

Free SUN Meals are available to children age 18 and younger at approved sites. Most sites do not require an application. Use the state summer meal finder and confirm dates before traveling.

Housing, shelter, and eviction help

If your family has nowhere safe to sleep, call 211 and contact the homelessness agency serving your county. Tennessee Housing Development Agency partners with local agencies for shelter, homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and related services.

Completing coordinated entry or an assessment does not promise a bed, motel, apartment, voucher, or rent payment. Keep asking 211 about family shelters, domestic violence programs when safety is involved, and nearby counties when travel is possible.

If you have an eviction notice or court date, contact legal help immediately. A housing referral may not stop a case. Bring your lease, notices, rent ledger, payment proof, messages, and court papers.

ASMOM’s Tennessee housing guide covers housing authorities, vouchers, shelters, and rent-help paths in more detail.

Utility and weatherization help

Tennessee LIHEAP helps eligible households with home energy costs. The current 2025–2026 program page lists benefits from $174 to $750, based on household energy burden. Income must generally be at or below 60% of state median income.

Applications are handled through local agencies. Use the Tennessee LIHEAP page for the application path and current income chart. Funding can run out, and an application does not automatically stop shutoff. Call the utility and ask for a written payment plan while help is pending.

The weatherization program works through local agencies in all 95 counties when funding is available. It may provide home energy improvements, but it does not pay an overdue bill.

ASMOM’s Tennessee utility guide gives more shutoff, local agency, and document steps.

Diapers, child care, and family support

TennCare diaper benefit

TennCare and CoverKids members under age 2 can receive up to 100 diapers each month through participating pharmacies. No prescription is required. Bring the child’s pharmacy benefit information and use the TennCare diaper page to find a pharmacy. Available brands and sizes depend on the pharmacy.

Families who do not qualify can ask 211 for diaper banks, clinics, food pantries, and partner pickup sites. ASMOM’s Tennessee baby items guide lists more options.

Child care assistance

The Tennessee Department of Human Services offers child care payment assistance through programs that include Smart Steps and Child Care Certificates. Smart Steps can help some income-eligible families who work or attend post-secondary education and have children from 6 weeks old until kindergarten.

Use the child care assistance page to review the programs and application steps. The child care locator lists licensed providers. A family may still owe a copay, and approval does not guarantee an open slot.

ASMOM’s Tennessee child care guide explains provider approval and related support.

Health, safety, and legal help

Use TennCare Connect to apply for TennCare, CoverKids, and Medicare Savings Programs. Call 855-259-0701 for application help. ASMOM’s Tennessee health guide covers coverage and clinic options.

For civil legal help, use Help4TN or call 844-435-7486. The service can help you find the legal aid office for your county and offers legal information. Representation depends on the issue, income, conflict checks, deadlines, and staff capacity.

For domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, or trafficking, contact a trained advocate rather than relying on a general article as a safety plan. ASMOM’s Tennessee safety guide and Tennessee legal guide give more state-specific starting points.

Work, training, and transportation support

Tennessee American Job Centers help with job searches, resumes, workshops, training referrals, unemployment questions, and Jobs4TN. Use the job center locator to find the nearest office.

Transportation support is local. Ask 211, Community Action, the job center, your child’s school, a health plan, and a shelter about bus passes, gas cards, demand-response rides, or medical transportation. The state public transit directory lists fixed routes, rural transportation, shuttles, and paratransit.

ASMOM’s Tennessee transportation guide gives more county and program options.

Best resource finders by need

Documents and information to gather

You do not need every paper before making the first call. Ask what is required and whether another type of proof is accepted. Use ASMOM’s documents checklist when applying to several programs.

Phone scripts