Benefit programs in Tennessee (2026)
For families in Tennessee we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
We don't put a dollar figure on most of Tennessee's own programs yet. Those amounts depend on rules we haven't finished checking against official sources. What you get instead is the program, its official source, and who to call. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Tennessee families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 3 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. Tennessee also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Property Tax Relief Program — Elderly (Low-Income) Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-702). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. Tennessee also runs a LIHEAP energy-assistance program that covers heating and cooling costs together. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Tennessee Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Tennessee runs 3 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "TN Comprehensive Aggregate Cap Home and Community Based Services (CAC) Waiver (0357.R05.00)" and "TN Self-Determination Waiver Program (0427.R04.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Tennessee Medicaid, or call 1-866-836-6678.
- TN Comprehensive Aggregate Cap Home and Community Based Services (CAC) Waiver (0357.R05.00)
- TN Self-Determination Waiver Program (0427.R04.00)
- TN Statewide Home and Community Based Services Waiver (0128.R07.00)
See how Tennessee's Medicaid rules compare with other states
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Property Tax Relief Program — Elderly (Low-Income) Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-702). State reimbursement (rebate) of property taxes paid on the first $33,600 of the home's market value. Because residential property is assessed at 25%, relief is calculated on up to $8,400 of assessed value multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; the exact dollar amount varies by jurisdiction, appraisal ratio, and tax rate. It is a reimbursement, not an exemption. Applied for through the county trustee/city collecting official. That figure is confirmed against Tennessee's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). Tennessee runs 6 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-866-836-6678 and ask which apply to you.
6 programs in Tennessee. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Relief Program — Elderly (Low-Income) Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-702) GOV PDF VERIFIED | State reimbursement (rebate) of property taxes paid on the first $33,600 of the home's market value. Because residential property is assessed at 25%, relief is calculated on up to $8,400 of assessed value multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; the exact dollar amount varies by jurisdiction, appraisal ratio, and tax rate. It is a reimbursement, not an exemption. Applied for through the county trustee/city collecting official. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Relief Program — Disabled Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-703) GOV PDF VERIFIED | State reimbursement (rebate) of property taxes paid on the first $33,600 of the home's market value (residential assessed at 25% = up to $8,400 of assessed value) multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; exact amount varies by jurisdiction. Reimbursement program, not an exemption. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Relief Program — Disabled Veteran Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-704) GOV | State reimbursement of property taxes paid on the first $175,000 of the home's market value (residential assessed at 25% = up to $43,750 of assessed value) multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; exact amount varies by jurisdiction. NO income limit for disabled veterans. Reimbursement program, not an exemption. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Relief Program — Widow(er) of Disabled Veteran Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-704) GOV PDF VERIFIED | State reimbursement of property taxes paid on the first $175,000 of the home's market value (residential assessed at 25% = up to $43,750 of assessed value) multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate. NO income limit. Surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran at time of death and not remarried; extended to spouses of veterans whose death was service-connected/combat-related or who died while deployed in support of combat/peace operations. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Freeze Program (T.C.A. § 67-5-705) GOV | Freezes the homeowner's property tax bill at the base amount owed in the first year they qualify. Taxes stay frozen even when the tax rate rises or a county-wide reappraisal occurs; if newly calculated taxes fall below the frozen amount, the homeowner pays the lower amount and the frozen base is adjusted down. Local-option program — must be adopted by the county and/or city; as of the Comptroller's listing about 27 counties and 36 cities participate. Reapplication required annually. | Official source → |
| Property Tax Deferral (municipal local option; T.C.A. §§ 7-64-101 et seq. and 7-64-201 et seq.) ANALYSIS VERIFIED | A municipality may, by resolution, defer (postpone) property taxes on the principal residence plus up to one acre for qualifying owners age 65+, totally-and-permanently-disabled persons, and disabled veterans. Deferred taxes become a lien on the property that accrues 10% interest annually and is repaid on sale, death, or change of use. Maximum appraised value $50,000 (Ch. 659, T.C.A. 7-64-201 et seq.) or $60,000 (Ch. 821, T.C.A. 7-64-101 et seq.). This is an older, seldom-adopted municipal option, distinct from the state Property Tax Relief and Freeze programs. | Official source → |
Property Tax Relief Program — Elderly (Low-Income) Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-702) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
State reimbursement (rebate) of property taxes paid on the first $33,600 of the home's market value. Because residential property is assessed at 25%, relief is calculated on up to $8,400 of assessed value multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; the exact dollar amount varies by jurisdiction, appraisal ratio, and tax rate. It is a reimbursement, not an exemption. Applied for through the county trustee/city collecting official.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Relief Program — Disabled Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-703) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
State reimbursement (rebate) of property taxes paid on the first $33,600 of the home's market value (residential assessed at 25% = up to $8,400 of assessed value) multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; exact amount varies by jurisdiction. Reimbursement program, not an exemption.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Relief Program — Disabled Veteran Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-704) GOV
- Benefit
State reimbursement of property taxes paid on the first $175,000 of the home's market value (residential assessed at 25% = up to $43,750 of assessed value) multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate; exact amount varies by jurisdiction. NO income limit for disabled veterans. Reimbursement program, not an exemption.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Relief Program — Widow(er) of Disabled Veteran Homeowners (T.C.A. § 67-5-704) GOV PDF VERIFIED
- Benefit
State reimbursement of property taxes paid on the first $175,000 of the home's market value (residential assessed at 25% = up to $43,750 of assessed value) multiplied by the applicable county/city tax rate. NO income limit. Surviving spouse must have been married to the veteran at time of death and not remarried; extended to spouses of veterans whose death was service-connected/combat-related or who died while deployed in support of combat/peace operations.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Freeze Program (T.C.A. § 67-5-705) GOV
- Benefit
Freezes the homeowner's property tax bill at the base amount owed in the first year they qualify. Taxes stay frozen even when the tax rate rises or a county-wide reappraisal occurs; if newly calculated taxes fall below the frozen amount, the homeowner pays the lower amount and the frozen base is adjusted down. Local-option program — must be adopted by the county and/or city; as of the Comptroller's listing about 27 counties and 36 cities participate. Reapplication required annually.
- Official source
- Official source →
Property Tax Deferral (municipal local option; T.C.A. §§ 7-64-101 et seq. and 7-64-201 et seq.) ANALYSIS VERIFIED
- Benefit
A municipality may, by resolution, defer (postpone) property taxes on the principal residence plus up to one acre for qualifying owners age 65+, totally-and-permanently-disabled persons, and disabled veterans. Deferred taxes become a lien on the property that accrues 10% interest annually and is repaid on sale, death, or change of use. Maximum appraised value $50,000 (Ch. 659, T.C.A. 7-64-201 et seq.) or $60,000 (Ch. 821, T.C.A. 7-64-101 et seq.). This is an older, seldom-adopted municipal option, distinct from the state Property Tax Relief and Freeze programs.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Tennessee?
Up to $750 toward heating and cooling bills combined. That is the FY 2026 maximum Tennessee's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes for heating and cooling combined. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $750 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Tenn.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Covers heating and cooling combined. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Tennessee the published maximum for heating and cooling combined is $750. Crisis maximum: $750. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Tennessee: Fully exempt at the state level — Tennessee levies no state income tax, so Social Security benefits are not taxed. Confirmed by Tennessee Department of Revenue guidance HIT-18.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Tennessee has no broad-based personal income tax. Pension income, IRA distributions, 401(k) distributions, and annuity income are NOT subject to any Tennessee state tax. The former Hall income tax applied only to certain interest and dividend income (never to wages, pensions, or retirement-account distributions) and was fully repealed effective January 1, 2021. No age- or income-based exclusion is required because none of this income is taxed by the state. (Note: although not taxed, Social Security and retirement income ARE counted toward the income limits used for the property tax relief and property tax freeze programs.)
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Tennessee too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Tennessee for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-866-836-6678. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Tennessee. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 888-277-8366.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-866-836-6678Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.