Senior benefits in Unicoi County, Tennessee
Seniors living in Unicoi County, Tennessee have access to a wide range of benefit programs that can help with everyday costs, health care, housing, and more. The First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services is the local starting point for connecting with many of these programs. From there, county residents may find help with home energy bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance program delivered locally by First Tennessee Human Resource Agency, and transportation through NET Trans Rural Public Transit for seniors and riders with disabilities. Ballad Health Unicoi County Hospital Financial Assistance may help those facing medical bills. State programs like the Tennessee Property Tax Freeze Program, OPTIONS for Community Living, and the Tennessee Family Caregiver Support Program offer additional layers of support. Dozens of federal programs also apply here. Each 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.
4
Local programs
21
Tennessee programs
25
Federal programs
19
Categories
Last verified · September 29, 2026
Local starting point
First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (First Tennessee AAAD), the designated Area Agency on Aging and Disability for the eight-county First Tennessee region.
423-928-0224
See which of these Unicoi County programs you may qualify for.
Find my benefitsHelping others? Print the Unicoi 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 Unicoi County
Run by the county, its Area Agency on Aging, or another agency serving Unicoi County. Start here.
Elder Services in Unicoi County
Programs here typically provide services worth $1,000–$6,000 a year to an eligible household.
First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services (Unicoi County)
CountyThe First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability serves older adults age 60 and older, adults with disabilities, and family caregivers in Unicoi County. Services include congregate and home-delivered meals, family caregiver support and respite, SHIP/SHIIP Medicare counseling, options counseling for long-term care, the long-term care ombudsman, the OPTIONS in-home services program, and public guardianship. Call the Information and Assistance line to learn what is available locally.
Estimated service value: $1,000–$6,000 a year
Energy Assistance in Unicoi County
Programs here typically lower an eligible household's bills by $174–$750 a year.
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) for Unicoi County
CountyTennessee's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps pay heating and cooling costs for income-eligible households. In Unicoi County, LIHEAP is delivered by First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA). Households with an older adult (60+) or a person with a disability get priority. Apply through First Tennessee Human Resource Agency, and call 2-1-1 Tennessee for referral help. Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) administers the program statewide.
Estimated bill savings: $174–$750 a year
Healthcare in Unicoi County
Ballad Health Unicoi County Hospital Financial Assistance (Unicoi County)
CountyBallad Health is the dominant hospital system in Unicoi County, with Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin. Ballad Health offers financial assistance (charity care) and uninsured discounts for emergency and other medically necessary care to patients who cannot afford to pay. Apply online, by mail, or at the hospital, and call the financial assistance line at 1-888-288-5174 for help.
Estimated bill savings: about $0 a year
Transportation in Unicoi County
Programs here typically provide services worth $200–$1,500 a year to an eligible household.
NET Trans Rural Public Transit for Seniors and Riders with Disabilities (Unicoi County)
CountyNET Trans (Northeast Tennessee Rural Public Transit) is operated by First Tennessee Human Resource Agency and provides public transportation for Unicoi County residents of all ages, giving first priority to older adults, people with disabilities, and riders with medical needs. It offers demand-response, deviated, and fixed-route rides for medical appointments, shopping, and services. Call First Tennessee Human Resource Agency to schedule a ride and confirm the fare.
Estimated service value: $200–$1,500 a year
Local agencies serving Unicoi 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.
Ballad Health, the integrated regional health system serving Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia.
Runs: Ballad Health Unicoi County Hospital Financial Assistance
First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (First Tennessee AAAD), the designated Area Agency on Aging and Disability for the eight-county First Tennessee region.
Runs: First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Services
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) LIHEAP, delivered locally by First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA).
Runs: Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) for Unicoi County
NET Trans (Northeast Tennessee Rural Public Transit), operated by First Tennessee Human Resource Agency (FTHRA), the regional public transit provider for the eight First Tennessee counties.
Runs: NET Trans Rural Public Transit for Seniors and Riders with Disabilities
Tennessee and federal programs
Open to eligible households in Unicoi 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.