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Emergency cash hotline
hot line

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) launched a special hotline this month  to help  make  it  easier for  families  with  children  to check on  their application  for emergency  cash  assistance.    Applicants  can  call  833-496-0661  to learn  the  status of  their application,  including  approval or denial and how much money the approved family can expect to receive.

 

 

Applications  for emergency cash assistance will be accepted through May 29, 2020.  All TDHS offices are currently  operating  on an “appointment basis”  as a precaution for  COVID-19, so the department is asking applicants to complete the application  process online at  https://tdhs.service- now.com/relief?id=relief_registration. Applicants  are required  to upload  verification to the application   prior   to submitting to TDHS.    Once  the application   and  verifications   have  been submitted, no further action will be needed.  Applicants DO NOT need to call the DHS office for an interview.  Applicants will be emailed a response and if approved  they should receive an EBT card

in the mail within  10 to 15 days.

 

 

The emergency cash assistance program  is funded  by the Temporary  Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and provides two monthly cash payments to approved families depending on their size:

•     $500 for a household  of 1 to 2 persons.

•     $750 for a household  of 3 to 4 persons.

•     $1000 for a household  with 5 or more persons.

 

 

This assistance is available in addition to any unemployment benefits individuals in the family may be receiving.

 

 

To be eligible, families must have been employed  as of March 11, 2020 but have since then lost employment or at least 50% of their earned income due to the COVID-19 emergency, 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 the State’s Median Income that’s currently:

 

 

•      Gross Monthly  Income of $2,696 for a household  of one.

•      Gross Monthly  Income of $3,526 for a household  of two.

•      Gross Monthly  Income of $4,356 for a household  of three.

•      Gross Monthly  Income of $5,185 for a household  of four.

 

                 Gross Monthly  Income of $6,015 for a household  of five.

 

 

 

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a federal workforce development and employment program  emphasizing work, training, and personal responsibility. It is temporary and has a primary  focus on gaining self-sufficiency through employment. Existing TANF customers receiving Families First benefits will be eligible to apply for this emergency cash assistance.

 

 

Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at  www.tn.gov/humanservices.