Tennessee State Health Insurance Assistance Program (TN SHIP)
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Tennessee
Tennessee's Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) makes a one-time payment to your utility or fuel supplier to help with heating and cooling, through 19 local agencies that cover all 95 counties.
For 2026–27 the state's benefit chart runs from $300 to $800. People 60 and older on Social Security may apply early, and households with someone 60 or older are served first from the waiting list.
How to apply in Tennessee
- Online
- thda.smartsimple.us
- In person
- Applications are filed online through THDA's SmartSimple portal, through the LIHEAP agency for your county. That agency can help you apply; THDA's agency contact sheet lists each agency's phone number and the counties it serves.
- Who runs it
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA)
Applying is free. Nobody should charge you to apply.
Apply on the official siteWho may qualify in Tennessee
| Yearly income limit, one person (FY 2027 benefit matrix) | $32,861 a year for one person (60% of state median income) |
|---|---|
| Yearly income limit, two people (FY 2027 benefit matrix) | $42,973 a year for two people (60% of state median income) |
What you may get
| One-time benefit (FY 2027 matrix) | $300 to $800, based on household size, income and how much of your income goes to energy. For one or two people it starts at $300. |
|---|---|
| Crisis Energy Assistance | Faster help when your utility is disconnected or your fuel has run out because of something beyond your control: within 48 hours, or 18 hours if life-threatening |
| Heating and cooling system repair | Some local agencies can repair or replace an unsafe or broken heating or cooling system |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Program year (FY 2027, draft manual) | Oct. 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2027, pending federal budget approval. One payment per year covers heating and cooling, while funds last. |
|---|---|
| Early enrollment for older adults (draft manual) | People 60 or older who get Social Security, and people with disabilities, may apply in an early period of up to 60 days before general applications open |
| Waiting list order | Households with someone 60 or older are served first, then people with disabilities, households with children 5 or under, military and veterans, and the highest energy burden |
How Tennessee is different
Where Tennessee's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- People 60 or older on Social Security can apply early, before general enrollment opens.
- Households with someone 60 or older are first in line on the waiting list.
- The benefit depends on energy burden, the share of income spent on energy.
Good to know
- Payments go to the utility or fuel supplier, not to you. You don't need a past-due bill or to be on public assistance, and renters can apply.
Free help
Free help with this in Tennessee
Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Tennessee
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Fiscal Year 2027 LIHEAP Benefit Matrix (linked from THDA's LIHEAP Forms page) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Draft 2027 LIHEAP Policy Manual for Regular and Crisis Assistance (July 11, 2026) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Tennessee Housing Development Agency, Need Help Paying Your Energy Bill? LIHEAP flyer (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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