🍽️ Food & Nutrition

Southeast TN Area Agency on Aging & Disability (SETAAAD) – Nutrition Program

• Phone: 866‑836‑6678

• Website: https://setaaad.org/nutritional-programs

• Description: Provides congregate (group) meals and home-delivered meals for seniors.

• Eligibility: Age 60+; priority given to those with greatest economic or social need

United Way 2‑1‑1

• Phone: 211 or 423‑265‑8000

• Website: https://unitedwaycha.org/

• Description: Connects callers with food pantries, meal programs, and emergency food assistance.

• Eligibility: Varies by program—income-based selection. https://team211.communityos.org/

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🏠 Housing & Home Assistance

Chattanooga Office of Family Empowerment (OFE)

• Phone: 423‑643‑6434

• Website: https://chattanooga.gov/services/assistance-programs

• Description: Offers emergency rental, mortgage, utility assistance, and case management.

• Eligibility: Hamilton County residents; must meet income guidelines (often ≤200% FPL).

LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program)

• Phone: 423‑643‑6434

• Website: https://chattanooga.gov/services/assistance-programs/energy-assistance-program

• Description: One-time credit or bill payment to help with heating/cooling bills.

• Eligibility:

  • Income ≤60% of Tennessee State Median Income (SMI), which is approximately equivalent to 125–150% of federal poverty level depending on household size

  • Must be Hamilton County resident with proof of ID, SSNs, income, utility account history, citizenship.

City of Chattanooga Property Tax Freeze

• Phone: 423‑643‑7274

• Website: https://chattanooga.gov/pay-and-apply/permits-applications/property-tax-freeze

• Description: Freezes city property taxes for qualifying seniors.

• Eligibility: Age 65+; homeowner; income at or below state-set threshold (varies annually).

Affordable Housing Programs (City of Chattanooga)

• Phone: 423‑643‑7353

• Website: https://chattanooga.gov/business/funds-finder/affordable-housing-programs

• Description: Supports development of affordable housing and provides access to low-income housing resources.

• Eligibility: Income-based; varies by program.

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🚗 Transportation

CARTA – Care-A-Van Paratransit Service

• Phone: 423‑698‑9038

• Website: https://www.gocarta.org/using-carta/services/care-a-van/

• Description: Door-to-door bus/transit service for seniors and people with disabilities.

• Eligibility: Requires application; intended for individuals unable to use regular buses due to disability.

MyRide Southeast Tennessee (via SETAAAD)

• Phone: 866‑836‑6678

• Website: https://setaaad.org/transportation-services

• Description: Volunteer-based rides to medical appointments and shopping.

• Eligibility: Age 60+; must be ambulatory (able to enter/exit vehicle).

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🏥 Medical & Dental

Hamilton County Community Health Services – Chattanooga

• Phone: 423‑209-8000

• Website: https://health.hamiltontn.org/

• Description: Offering low-cost immunizations, medical, dental, and related services.

• Eligibility: For residents of Hamilton County.

Erlanger Community Health Center

• Phone: 423‑778‑2800

• Website: https://www.erlanger.org/

• Description: Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care and dental services.

• Eligibility: Open to all; sliding-scale fees based on income.

Find TnCare/Medicaid Doctors in Chattanooga

• Website: https://lookup.doc.tenncare.gov/TNDocLookUp/TNDocSearch.aspx

• Description: Listing of doctors and medical groups that take TnCare and if they are taking new patients.

• Eligibility: generally low-income residents in TN. https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/members-applicants/eligibility/tenncare-medicaid.html#:~:text=TennCare%20is%20the%20state%20of,can%20apply%20anytime%20for%20TennCare.

• to apply: https://tenncareconnect.tn.gov/

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🧠 Mental Health Therapy & Counseling

Centerstone Mental Health Services

• Phone: 877‑467‑3123

• Website: https://centerstone.org/

• Description: Offers counseling and support for mental health and addictions.

• Eligibility: Accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and offers sliding-scale fees for uninsured.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Phone: 988

• Website: https://988lifeline.org

• Description: Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis support.

• Eligibility: Open to all callers.

Frontier Health Crisis Line

• Phone: 877‑928‑9062

• Website: https://www.frontierhealth.org/crisis-response/

• Description: 24/7 behavioral health crisis support.

• Eligibility: No restrictions; available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis.

Therapists in Chattanooga that take Medicaid

• Per Psychology Today

• Add further filters for depression, trauma, aging, etc.

• Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/tn/chattanooga?category=medicaid

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🛏️ In‑Home Support & Hospice

CHOICES Program (TennCare Medicaid)

• Phone: 877‑224‑0219

• Website: https://www.tn.gov/tenncare/long-term-services-supports/choices.html

• Description: Covers personal care, homemaker, and nursing in the home.

• Eligibility: Age 65+ or disabled; meets Medicaid income and asset limits.

PACE – Alexian Brothers

• Phone: 423‑698‑0802

• Website: https://www.ascensionliving.org/at-home-choice#:~:text=EXPLORE-,Home%20Care%20Services,determined%20schedules%20or%20as%2Dneeded.

• Description: Full care program providing in-home services, adult day services, and medical management.

• Eligibility: Age 55+; meets nursing-home level of care; able to live safely at home; income/eligibility verified.

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👔 Clothing, Emergency Needs

Salvation Army – Chattanooga

• Phone: 423‑305‑6200

• Website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/chattanooga

• Description: Provides clothing, basic household needs, and utility assistance programs.

• Eligibility: Based on need; documentation required.

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🧾 Legal & Elder Advocacy

Legal Aid of East Tennessee

• Phone: 800‑572‑7457

• Website: https://www.laet.org/

• Description: Legal assistance for elder abuse, housing rights, benefits advocacy.

• Eligibility: Age 60+ or low-income adults; based on legal issue.

Elder Rights & Ombudsman Services (SETAAAD)

• Phone: 866‑836‑6678

• Website: https://setaaad.org/elder-rights

• Description: Advocates for residents in long-term care facilities to protect rights and quality of care.

• Eligibility: All seniors in licensed care facilities.

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🎲 Social & Recreational Opportunities

Chattanooga Community Centers

• Phone: Various by location; main info via City website

• Website: https://chattanooga.gov/services/community-centers

• Description: Offer classes, social events, and recreational activities for seniors.

• Eligibility: Many programs open to all ages; some senior-specific programs for ages 60+.

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🌐 National Help Lines

United Way 2‑1‑1

• Phone: 211 or 1‑866‑921‑3035

• Website: https://www.211.org/

• Description: National referral service for food, housing, healthcare, and other programs.

• Eligibility: No restrictions; directs to qualifying programs.

Eldercare Locator

• Phone: 800‑677‑1116

• Website: https://eldercare.acl.gov

• Description: Federal service that connects seniors to local aging and disability services.

• Eligibility: Open to all U.S. residents.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

• Phone: 988

• Website: https://988lifeline.org/

• Description: 24/7 national lifeline for emotional support and suicide prevention.

• Eligibility: Open to all.

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🏡 Local VA Resources
(Chattanooga Area)

Chattanooga Vet Center

• Phone: 423‑855‑6570 (main office) or 877‑927‑8387 (24/7 line, TTY: 711)

• Location: 1300 Premier Dr, Suite 180, Chattanooga, TN 37421

• Services: Free, confidential counseling for PTSD, MST, transition issues, grief, and family support.

• Eligibility: Any veteran, active service member, and their families—no cost.

Veterans Services Office – Hamilton County

• Phone: 423‑209‑7884 (Fax: 423‑209‑7887)

• Address: 455 N Highland Park Ave, Suite 204, Chattanooga, TN 37404

• Services: Assistance filing for VA disability, pensions (including Aid & Attendance), health enrollment, burial, education, and housing benefits.

• Eligibility: Hamilton County veterans and dependents eligible under VA/state guidelines.

Chattanooga VA Clinic

• Phone: 423‑893‑6500

• Address: 6401 Shallowford Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37421

• Services: Outpatient primary care, mental health, dental, telehealth, audiology, speech therapy.

• Eligibility: Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare.

Amada Senior Care – Chattanooga (Veterans Benefits Assistance)

• Phone: 423‑888‑3449 or 877‑44‑AMADA

• Address: 514 Tremont St, Suite 204, Chattanooga, TN 37405

• Services: Help accessing VA Aid & Attendance, Homemaker/Home Health Aide, respite care, and long-term care insurance claims.

• Eligibility: Veterans and spouses meeting eligibility requirements under VA Aid & Attendance.

Right at Home – Veteran Home Care (Chattanooga)

• Phone: 423‑803‑2898

• Address: 1335 Mackey Branch Dr, Suite 107, Chattanooga, TN 37421

• Services: Homemaker/home health aide and respite care funded via VA (authorized by VA medical professionals).

• Eligibility: Veterans with VA-approved home care benefits.

Comfort Keepers – Veterans Home Care (Chattanooga)

• Phone: 423‑454‑3918

• Services: In-home supportive care for veterans using VA benefits, caregiver relief, and household assistance.

• Eligibility: Veterans authorized for Homemaker/Home Health Aide VA benefits. comfortkeepers.com

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🚩 National VA Benefits

VA Health Care

• Phone: Find local clinic at 800‑698‑2411

• Website: https://www.va.gov/health-care/eligibility/

• Services: Outpatient/inpatient care, prescriptions, mental health treatment.

• Eligibility: Honorable (or qualifying) discharge, typically 24+ months active duty (some exceptions); income affects copay classification.

Disability Compensation & Pension (Aid & Attendance, Housebound)

• Website: https://va.gov

• Services: Disability pay for service-connected conditions; extra monthly pension for qualifying wartime veterans requiring aid or housebound.

• Eligibility: Varies by program—see summary table below.

BenefitGeneral EligibilityDisability CompensationActive duty, honorable/discharge, service-connected issuePension (w/ A&A or Housebound)Wartime service, low income/assets, need help with ADLs or housebound status

VA Homemaker & Home Health Aide Care

• Phone: Via local VA health care provider

• Services: Assistance with ADLs (dressing, eating, bathing) and respite care, supervised by registered nurse.

• Eligibility: Enrolled VA patient with clinical need; available through VA social work. https://www.va.gov/geriatrics/pages/Homemaker_and_Home_Health_Aide_Care.asp

Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)

• Phone: Apply via VA or local nonprofit providers

• Services: Housing support, case management, financial assistance to prevent homelessness.

• Eligibility: Low-income veterans and families at risk of homelessness.

Veterans Crisis Line

• Phone: 988 then press 1, or text 838255, or chat at VeteransCrisisLine.net

• Services: 24/7 crisis counseling and suicide prevention.

• Eligibility: Open to service members, veterans, and loved ones.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

• Phone: Find local chapter through DAV.org

• Services: Free assistance with VA claims, medical transport, job placement, and caregiver support.

• Eligibility: All veterans.

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

• Phone: Find local post via https://vfw.org/

• Services: Claims help, scholarships, emergency grants, peer support.

• Eligibility: All veterans (VFW-accredited).

Wounded Warrior Project (WWP)

• Phone: https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

• Services: Mental health, career services, family/chapter programs.

• Eligibility: Post-9/11 veterans (additional eligibility rules by program).

AmericaServes / IVMF

• Phone: Inquire via http://ivmf.org/

• Services: Employment, education, housing, benefits, and mental health services.

• Eligibility: Veterans and families.

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