Senior benefits in Polk County, Tennessee
Seniors living in Polk County, Tennessee 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 Services is the local starting point for connecting Polk County residents to services and support. Locally, SETHRA Rural Public Transit can help with transportation needs, and LIHEAP Energy Assistance through the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency may help cover heating and cooling costs. Starr Regional Medical Center Financial Assistance is available for those who need help with hospital bills. 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. A number of federal programs also apply here. Every program listed on this page includes its official source and the date it was last verified. Eligibility is always determined by the agency that runs each program.
4
Local programs
21
Tennessee programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 29, 2026
Local starting point
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, the designated Area Agency on Aging and Disability under the Older Americans Act for the 10-county Southeast Tennessee Development District (Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie counties).
1-866-836-6678
See which of these Polk County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Polk 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 Polk County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Polk County. Start here.
Elder Services in Polk County
Programs here typically provide services worth $1,000–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services (Polk County)
CountyThe Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability serves adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and caregivers in Polk County. It offers free information and referral, options counseling for long-term care, home-delivered and congregate meals, family caregiver support and respite, the SHIP program for Medicare counseling, the long-term care ombudsman, and help applying for public benefits. Call the toll-free line to find out what is offered locally and to get connected to services.
Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Polk County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $174–$750 a year.
LIHEAP Energy Assistance - Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (Polk County)
CountyThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households, older adults, and people with disabilities pay energy bills. In Polk County it is delivered by the Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) for the state housing agency (THDA). Payment goes straight to the energy or fuel supplier. Apply through SETHRA, and call 2-1-1 (Tennessee) for help.
Estimated bill savings: $174–$750 a year
Healthcare in Polk County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $500–$18,000 a year.
Starr Regional Medical Center Financial Assistance (Polk County)
CountyPolk County does not have its own hospital. The nearest acute-care hospital is Starr Regional Medical Center in Athens, in neighboring McMinn County. Starr Regional provides care regardless of ability to pay and offers financial assistance to patients who qualify. Contact the financial services office to ask about charity care and to request an application. Residents in the Cleveland direction may also use Bradley Medical Center in Bradley County.
Estimated bill savings: $500–$18,000 a year
In this county: Polk County has no in-county hospital; residents typically use Starr Regional (Athens) or Bradley Medical Center (Cleveland). Financial assistance is income-based and reviewed case by case, so this shows as a may-qualify result.
Transportation in Polk County
Programs here typically provide services worth $150–$900 a year to an eligible household.
SETHRA Rural Public Transit (Polk County)
CountyThe Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) runs rural public transportation in Polk County. Rides can be scheduled to doctors, shopping, senior centers, and other places. The service is open to all county residents, and it is especially useful for older adults and people with disabilities who cannot drive. Call ahead to schedule a ride and to ask about the current fare.
Estimated service value: $150–$900 a year
Local agencies serving Polk 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.
Starr Regional Medical Center (Athens), the nearest acute-care hospital serving Polk County
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability, the designated Area Agency on Aging and Disability under the Older Americans Act for the 10-county Southeast Tennessee Development District (Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea, and Sequatchie counties).
Runs: Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA), which delivers LIHEAP for Polk County under the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
Runs: LIHEAP Energy Assistance - Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA) Transportation
Tennessee and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Polk 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.