Using local County funds, the Emergency Assistance Program provides temporary assistance to residents of Hamilton County outside the city of Chattanooga. The program provides emergency assistance to low-income households that have experienced short term setbacks such as loss of job, death of breadwinner, etc. The program provides one time assistance with rent/mortgage, utility bills, food and prescriptions. Applications are screened and employment, income, bills, etc. are verified to determine need. Eligibility requirements limit income to 125% or less of Federal Poverty Guidelines. Assistance may be requested no more than once per ongoing six-month period, not to exceed $500 per family in any given fiscal year. (Maximum assistance limits applicable depending on the service rendered). An emergency is comprehensively defined by the program as temporary, unexpected, sudden, uncontrollable, critical to safety, and verifiable.

FAQ's for Emergency Assistance Program

1. How do I qualify to receive services?   Temporary emergency assistance for people in a crisis situation (i.e. loss of job, layoff, illness) based on the last 30 days

Eligibility: Hamilton County resident outside the City of Chattanooga

                   Resident of Hamilton County for at least 90 days

                   Low income (gross before taxes) based on federal guidelines

2. What services do you provide? Assistance with Past Due Utilities (past first due date) and Rent/Mortgage (15+ days late), Food and Prescriptions.

3. Can I schedule an appointment or pick up application/rent packet? No, not until a telephone prescreen is performed to determine eligibility.

4. How do I get services? (1) Call 209-6855 (DO NOT WALK IN) for telephone prescreen to determine eligibility and receive an appointment. (2) Personal appointment interview to verify eligibility information given over the telephone.