Senior benefits in Meigs County, Tennessee
Seniors aged 65 and older in Meigs County, Tennessee, may qualify for a wide range of benefit programs at the local, state, and federal levels. The Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability serves as the local starting point for connecting older adults and their caregivers to available help. Local programs specific to this area include MyRide TN Southeast volunteer door-to-door transportation and SETHRA Rural Public Transit, which can help seniors get to appointments and errands. SETHRA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance is also available for those who need help covering utility 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. Every listing on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified, but the administering agency always makes the final eligibility decision.
5
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 Meigs County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Meigs 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 Meigs County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Meigs County. Start here.
Elder Services in Meigs County
Programs here typically provide services worth $500–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability — Meigs 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 Meigs 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 Meigs County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $174–$750 a year.
SETHRA Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) — Meigs County
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling bills for lower-income households. In Meigs 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 Meigs County
Rhea Medical Center Financial Assistance (Charity Care)
CountyMeigs County has no in-county hospital. Rhea Medical Center in nearby Dayton is the closest hospital serving Decatur and Meigs County residents. It offers charity care and discounted care based on family income, size, and resources. Free care is offered at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines; discounted care at or below 300%. Call 423-775-8563 to apply.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
In this county: Cross-county: the nearest hospital serving Meigs County is Rhea Medical Center in Dayton (Rhea County). Charity care is income-based (free at or below 150% FPL, discount at or below 300%), reviewed per application, so this shows as may-qualify.
Transportation in Meigs County
MyRide TN Southeast — Volunteer Door-to-Door Transportation (Meigs County)
CountyVolunteer-assisted, door-to-door rides to essential appointments for older adults, run by SETAAAD as part of the statewide MyRide TN network. Trained volunteer drivers pick riders up at the door and stay with them through the appointment. Riders complete a short screening and application once, then call to schedule rides. Call (423) 424-4201 or email MyRide@sedev.org to start the screening.
SETHRA Rural Public Transit — Meigs County
CountySETHRA operates curb-to-curb, demand-response rural public transit in Meigs 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 Meigs 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.
Rhea Medical Center
Runs: Rhea Medical Center Financial Assistance (Charity Care)
Southeast Tennessee Development District
Runs: Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA)
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (SETAAAD), part of the Southeast Tennessee Development District
Runs: MyRide TN Southeast
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) Public Transit
Tennessee and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Meigs 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.