Senior benefits in Bledsoe County, Tennessee
Bledsoe County, Tennessee seniors and their families have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. The Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability serves as a key local starting point, connecting older adults to services across the region. Local programs also include SETHRA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) to help with utility bills, SETHRA Rural Public Transit for transportation needs, and Erlanger Health Financial Assistance (Charity Care) for those facing medical costs. At the state level, programs like the Tennessee Property Tax Freeze Program, OPTIONS for Community Living, TennCare CHOICES, and the Tennessee Family Caregiver Support Program may provide meaningful relief. Dozens of federal programs apply here as well, covering areas like food, Medicare costs, and veterans' benefits. Every program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. Eligibility is always determined by the administering agency, not this site.
4
Local programs
21
Tennessee programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 29, 2026
Local starting point
Southeast Tennessee Development District — Area Agency on Aging and Disability
1-866-836-6678
See which of these Bledsoe County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Bledsoe County benefits checklist — free to hand out.
When benefit rules change, it’s tracked here
Income limits, new requirements, how to apply — see what’s changed across senior benefit programs, from the official source in plain English.
Programs run in Bledsoe County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Bledsoe County. Start here.
Elder Services in Bledsoe County
Programs here typically provide services worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability — Bledsoe County
CountyThe Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (SETAAAD), part of the Southeast Tennessee Development District, is the aging and disability resource point for Bledsoe County. As a one-call access point, it connects older adults, caregivers, and people with disabilities to in-home care, home-delivered and group meals, transportation, caregiver support, benefits counseling, the OPTIONS in-home program, and long-term-care help. Services are for adults 60 and older and for adults with disabilities, with priority for those in greatest need. Call 1-866-836-6678.
Estimated service value: $500–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Bledsoe County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $174–$750 a year.
SETHRA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Bledsoe County
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills for lower-income households. In Bledsoe County, LIHEAP is delivered by the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA); the program is funded through the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). Help is income-based. Apply through the local SETHRA office at 423-949-2191, or dial 2-1-1 Tennessee for a referral.
Estimated bill savings: $174–$750 a year
Healthcare in Bledsoe County
Erlanger Health Financial Assistance (Charity Care)
CountyBledsoe County has no in-county acute-care hospital. Erlanger Health in Chattanooga is a public academic health system that serves Southeast Tennessee, including Pikeville and Bledsoe County. Erlanger offers charity care and discounted care based on family income and assets. In 2025, households at or below 204% of the federal poverty level qualified for free care and those at or below 322% for discounted care. Financial counselors help at 423-778-9805.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
In this county: Cross-county: Bledsoe County residents are served by Erlanger Health in Chattanooga. Charity care is income-based (2025 basis: free at or below 204% FPL, discount at or below 322%); each application is reviewed, so this shows as may-qualify.
Transportation in Bledsoe County
SETHRA Rural Public Transit — Bledsoe County
CountySETHRA operates curb-to-curb, demand-response rural public transit in Bledsoe County. There are no fixed routes; rides are booked ahead by phone for medical visits, shopping, senior centers, and other trips. Older riders and riders with disabilities can get reduced fares. Senior-center vans are also available through the Area Agency on Aging and Disability. Call 423-949-2191 to schedule a ride.
Estimated service value: about $0 a year
Local agencies serving Bledsoe County
Who runs the county programs above, and how to reach them. Every line comes from a program record on this page — nothing is added that the catalog does not cite.
Erlanger Health
Southeast Tennessee Development District
Runs: Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA)
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) Public Transit
Tennessee and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Bledsoe County and across the rest of Tennessee. Full details are on the Tennessee benefits page.
Caregiver Support
- Tennessee Family Caregiver Support ProgramStateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Employment
- Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)Federal$15,000–$17,000/yrCashOfficial source →
Energy Assistance
- Tennessee Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)State$174–$750/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Food Assistance
- Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Senior Food BoxFederal$240–$600/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Congregate Meals at Senior CentersFederal$1,000–$2,500/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Home-Delivered Meals (Meals on Wheels)Federal$1,500–$4,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Federal$35–$50/yrCashOfficial source →
- SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) for SeniorsFederal$280–$2,400/yrCashOfficial source →
Health Coverage
- TennCare Medicaid — Aged, Blind & DisabledState$4,000–$30,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
Healthcare
- CHAMPVA (Civilian Health and Medical Program of the VA)Federal$3,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)FederalOfficial source →
- VA Health CareFederal$5,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — Medicare CounselingStateabout $0/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Home Care
- Tennessee Family Support ProgramState$0–$6,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- OPTIONS for Community Living (Non-Medicaid In-Home Support)Stateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Housing
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Federal$8,000–$20,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the ElderlyFederal$5,000–$15,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Housing Assistance
- Tennessee Emergency Repair Program (THDA) — grants for older and disabled homeownersState$500–$24,999/yrService valueOfficial source →
Income Support
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)Federal$11,928–$17,892/yrCashOfficial source →
Long Term Care
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the ElderlyFederal$6,000–$40,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- TennCare CHOICES — Long-Term Services & SupportsState$10,000–$80,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- PACE — Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (Tennessee)State$10,000–$80,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Tennessee State Veterans' Homes (Long-Term Care)StateOfficial source →
Medicare Savings
- Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)Federal$4,000–$5,300/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualifying Individual (QI)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB)Federal$2,435–$3,500/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB)Federalabout $2,435/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
- Medicare Savings Program (Tennessee) — QMB / SLMB / QIState$2,100–$8,000/yrPremium savingsOfficial source →
Nutrition
- Tennessee Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)Stateabout $40/yrService valueOfficial source →
Supportive Services
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman ProgramFederalOfficial source →
- National Family Caregiver Support Program (OAA Title III-E)Federal$1,000–$5,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Older Americans Act Supportive Services (Title III-B)Federal$500–$3,000/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)FederalOfficial source →
- Tennessee Public Guardianship for the Elderly — Court-Appointed Conservator of Last ResortStateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
- Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries (No-Cost Burial Benefits)StateOfficial source →
- Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Claims Assistance (Free VA Claims Help)StateOfficial source →
- Tennessee Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License ($10 One-Time, Permanent)StateOfficial source →
Tax Relief
- Federal Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled (IRS Schedule R)Federal$0–$1,125/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax Exemption for Disabled VeteransStateOfficial source →
- Tennessee Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veteran HomeownersState$875–$1,225/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee Property Tax Freeze ProgramState$50–$800/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Tennessee Property Tax Relief ProgramState$100–$1,200/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Transportation
- MyRide TN — Volunteer Senior TransportationStateabout $0/yrService valueOfficial source →
Utility Assistance
- Federal LifelineFederal$111–$411/yrLower billsOfficial source →
- Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)Federal$3,000–$8,000/yrLower billsOfficial source →
Veteran Benefits
- VA Aid & Attendance (Improved Pension)Federal$12,000–$34,488/yrCashOfficial source →
Nearby counties
Local programs differ from one county to the next. If you live near a county line, or you are helping a parent who lives in one of these, it is worth checking there too.
Not legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.