NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) launched a special hotline

this month to help make it easier for families with children to check on their application for
emergency cash assistance. Applicants can call 833-496-0661 to learn the status of their
application, including approval or denial and how much money the approved family can expect to
receive.

Applications for emergency cash assistance will be accepted through May 29, 2020. All TDHS
offices are currently operating on an “appointment basis” as a precaution for COVID-19, so the
department is asking applicants to complete the application process online at https://tdhs.service-
now.com/relief?id=relief_registration. Applicants are required to upload verification to the
application prior to submitting to TDHS. Once the application and verifications have been
submitted, no further action will be needed. Applicants DO NOT need to call the DHS office for an
interview. Applicants will be emailed a response and if approved they should receive an EBT card
in the mail within 10 to 15 days.

The emergency cash assistance program is funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy
Families (TANF) and provides two monthly cash payments to approved families depending on their
size:
• $500 for a household of 1 to 2 persons.
• $750 for a household of 3 to 4 persons.
• $1000 for a household with 5 or more persons.

This assistance is available in addition to any unemployment benefits individuals in the family may
be receiving.

To be eligible, families must have been employed as of March 11, 2020 but have since then lost
employment or at least 50% of their earned income due to the COVID-19 emergency, include a child
under the age of 18 or a pregnant woman, have a valid Social Security Number, must not have
resources exceeding $2000, and the gross and/or unearned monthly income may not exceed 85%
of the State’s Median Income that’s currently:

• Gross Monthly Income of $2,696 for a household of one.

• Gross Monthly Income of $3,526 for a household of two.
• Gross Monthly Income of $4,356 for a household of three.
• Gross Monthly Income of $5,185 for a household of four.

Public Information and Legislative Office • James K. Polk Building • 505 Deaderick Street • Nashville, TN 37243
Tel: 615-313-4707 • tn.gov/humanservices
 • Gross Monthly Income of $6,015 for a household of five.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a federal workforce development
and employment program emphasizing work, training, and personal responsibility. It is temporary
and has a primary focus on gaining self-sufficiency through employment. Existing TANF customers
receiving Families First benefits will be eligible to apply for this emergency cash assistance.

Learn more about the Tennessee Department of Human Services at www.tn.gov/humanservices.

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Public Information and Legislative Office • James K. Polk Building • 505 Deaderick Street • Nashville, TN 37243
Tel: 615-313-4707 • tn.gov/humanservices