Assistance Available For COVID-19 Job Losses

The Tennessee Department of Human Services will begin accepting applications Thursday morning for families needing cash assistance because of COVID-19 job losses.

If you were employed as of March 11 and have lost your job because of COVID-19, you are eligible. Individuals who lost at least 50 percent of his/her earned income are also eligible. An EBT card for $500 to $1000 will be made available within five to seven business days if your application is approved.

Up to two months of assistance will be available through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. This program is in addition to unemployment benefits.

Residents can apply for assistance at the TDHS website. Applicants do not need to call the department for an interview.

To be eligible, families must include a child under the age of 18 or a pregnant woman, have a valid Social Security Number, must not have resources exceeding $2000, and the gross and/or unearned monthly income may not exceed 85% of State’s Median Income.

A household of one or two people can receive $500; three to four $750; households five or more can receive $1,000.