Chapter 6: Types of Financial Benefits – Am I Eligible?

Chapter 6: Types of Financial Benefits and Assistance

Assisting a Homeless Person with Secondary Needs

A person who is homeless with secondary needs may have the urgent needs temporarily remedied, but needs assistance in other areas not determined to be urgent but keeps them in an unstable situation. The following could have financial benefits when a client receives assistance.

Identified Secondary Barrier: Adult Education

Adult education opportunities can be found throughout the state of Tennessee. Below is a list of programs by county.

Putnam County Schools

Phone: 931-520-9519 Counties: Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren and White.

TCAT Athens

Phone: 1-844-688-7944 Counties: Bledsoe, Bradley, Grundy, Hamilton, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie

Volunteer State Community College

Phone: 615-230-3621 County: Sumner

Workforce Essentials

Phone: 1-800-826-3177 Counties: Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Trousdale, Williamson andWilson

South Central Tennessee Workforce Alliance

Phone: 1-866-801-4723 Counties: Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Perry and Wayne

Henderson County Schools

Phone: 1-855-569-1200 Counties: Chester, Decatur, Fayette, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson andMcNairy

Weakley County Schools

Phone: 731-364-5481 Counties: Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Lake, Obion and Weakley

Career Coach Question “Do you have your high school diploma, GED or Hi-SET?”

Jackson State Community College

Phone: 731-425-2628 Counties: Gibson, Henry and Madison

Identified Secondary Barrier: Dental/Medical

Dental/Medical/Mental Health facilities with homeless assistance programs - by county. (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/mentalhealth/documents/TN_Homeless_Resources.pdf) Freeclinics.com is the largest online directory of free and affordable health clinics. Most clinics listed in our database receive federal grants, state subsidies, or are owned and operated by non-profit organizations and provide services that are either free or at a reduced rate. US Dept of HUD (https://www.hud.gov/states/tennessee/homeless/healthcare) free or low cost healthcare options in the state of Tennessee which includes:

Career Coach Question

“Do you have health, vision or dental insurance? Do you know your options?”

Family Assistance Service Center:

1-866-311-4287 or 743-2000 (Nashville area) TTY Line: 1-877-779-3103 The Family Assistance Service Center is available weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. TennCare’s automated Voice Response System is available around-the-clock. Operators provide information on eligibility, TennCare Health Plans, applications, and address changes. Healthcare Marketplace (https://www.healthcare.gov/) You can find free or reduced health insurance plans on this site.

TennCare (https://www.tn.gov/tenncare.html)

TennCare is the state of Tennessee’s Medicaid program. It provides healthcare to mostly lowincome pregnant women, parents or caretakers of a minor child, children and individuals who are elderly or have a disability. To get Medicaid, you must meet the income and resource limits. You can apply anytime for TennCare. There are several different groups of people that may qualify. And, each group has different income limits. Some of the groups also have limits on how much you own-your "resources." These are things like bank accounts, cars, and land. The number of people who live in your household count too.

Some of the groups TennCare Medicaid covers are: ● Children under age 21 ● Women who are pregnant ● Parents or caretakers of a minor child (The child must live with you and be a close relative.) ● Individuals who need treatment for breast or cervical cancer ● People who get an SSI check (Supplemental Security Income)

● People who have gotten both an SSI check and a Social Security check in the same month at least once since April 1977 AND who still get a Social Security check A person who: Lives in a medical institution, like a nursing home, and has income below $2,382 per month, or Gets other long term care services that TennCare pays for. To apply, please visit tenncareconnect.tn.gov ● State and Federally funded programs can be primarily sought through this website with the state of Tennessee. https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/housing.html

Identified Secondary Barrier: Mental Health and Substance Abuse

Many of those experiencing homelessness choose not to stay in a shelter that does not allow them to drink or use drugs. Career Coach Question Tragically, homelessness and substance abuse go hand in hand. The end result of homelessness is often substance abuse, and substance abuse can also contribute to “Do you have anyone to talk to or are you homelessness. The National Coalition for the Homeless has concerned with any found that 38% of homeless people are alcohol dependent, mental health and 26% are dependent on other harmful chemicals. The challenges?” difficult conditions of living on the street, having to find food, struggling with ill health, and being constantly away from loved ones create a highly stressful state of being. Individuals suffering from homelessness may additionally develop psychiatric conditions in response to a harsh lifestyle often characterized by feeling threatened by violence, starvation, and a lack of shelter and love. In addition, Mental illness is a major contributor to homelessness. In a 2008 survey performed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 25 cities were asked for the three largest causes of homelessness in their communities. Mental illness was the third largest cause of homelessness for single adults (mentioned by 48% of cities). For homeless families, mental illness was mentioned by 12% of cities as one of the top three causes of homelessness. (National Coalition on Homelessness) Lack of treatment for the most seriously mentally ill causes the kind of delusions and bizarre behavior that makes living alone or at home with families untenable. As a result, many people with untreated serious mental illness become homeless and communities are forced to bear the cost of that. Read more at: https://mentalillnesspolicy.org/consequences/homeless-mentally-ill.html Below you will find information and resources to assist in overcoming mental health and substance abuse barriers Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) (https://www.tn.gov/behavioralhealth/housing/path.html) is a federal grant program to assist individuals experiencing homelessness who have a mental illness or co-occurring disorders; the program funds community-based outreach services to connect individuals to mental health, substance abuse, case management, and other support services as well as limited housing services.

Among the services eligible for funding under PATH are: 1) Outreach services 2) Screening and diagnostic treatment services 3) Habilitation and rehabilitation services 4) Community mental health services 5) Alcohol and drug treatment services 6) Staff training 7) Case management services 8) Supportive and supervisory services in residential settings 9) Referrals for primary health services, job training and educational services 10) Relevant housing services PATH services are available in 36 of Tennessee’s most populated counties.

Pathways Behavioral Health Carey Counseling Center

Counties Served: Hardeman, Haywood Counties Served: Benton, Carroll, Gibson Henderson and Madison Henry, Lake, Obion and Weakley 238 Summar Dr. 201 W Main St Jackson, TN 38301 Union City, TN 38261 P: 731-541-8200 P: 731-571-2834 http://www.wth.org/locations/pathways http://www.careycounselingcenter.org/

Mental Health Cooperative Volunteer Behavioral Health

This PATH program location serves Davidson, County Served: Rutherford Montgomery, and Wilson Counties. Guidance Center 275 Cumberland Bend 2126 North Thompson Lane Nashville, Tennessee 37228 Murfreesboro, TN 37129 MHC PATH Outreach Line: 615-744-7560 Phone: (615) 898-0771 https://www.mhc-tn.org/ https://www.vbhcs.org/locations/murfreesboro/

Volunteer Behavioral Health

This PATH program location serves Cumberland, DeKalb, Putnam, Warren, and White Counties. Plateau Mental Health Center 1200 South Willow Street Cookeville , TN 38506 Phone: (931) 432-4123 https://www.vbhcs.org/locations/cookeville/ SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, and Recovery (SOAR) For people who are homeless or who are returning to the community from institutions (jails, prisons, or hospitals), access to SSI/SSDI programs can be extremely challenging. Approval on initial application for people who are homeless and who have no one to assist them is about 10-15 percent. For those who have a mental illness, substance use issues, or co-occurring disorders that impair cognition, the

application process is even more difficult – yet accessing these benefits is often a critical first step in recovery. SOAR Specialists have offices throughout Tennessee to help individuals navigate this process.

Local Representatives: Ashley Blum

Whitney Malone Nashville, TN Murfreesboro, TN ashley.blum@parkcenternashville.org wmalone@vbhcs.org 615.242.3576 x500 615-707-1337

The Community Targeted Transitional Support program provides specific, temporary financial assistance that allows consumers to live independently in the community. This is achieved by providing funding for rental deposits, rental assistance, utility deposits, utility payments, eye care, and dental care. Eligible individuals are those receiving treatment for a mental illness or cooccurring substance abuse disorder whose household income is below the Federal Poverty Level and can show this is a temporary or one-time need. Payments are not made to service recipients, but instead directly to the vendor, such as the landlord or utility company.

Centerstone

Phone: 888.291.HELP (4357) Web: https://centerstone.org/ Counties Served: Bedford, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hamilton, Houston, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Sumner, Wayne, Williamson and Wilson

Mental Health Cooperative

866-816-0433 https://www.mhc-tn.org/ Counties Served: Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Giles, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Stewart, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson and Wilson

Park Center

615-242-3576 https://www.parkcenternashville.org/ County Served: Davidson The Emerging Adults program (https://www.tn.gov/behavioral-health/housing/life-skills.html) is a strengths-based program to support young adults, ages 18-25, who have mental illness or a cooccurring disorder, as they transition to adulthood. Emerge is a life skills program for young adults living with mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. The Emerge program educates young adults on mental health, substance use disorders, and life skills. Group topics include coping skills, medication education, financial

management, nutrition, personal grooming and hygiene, relationship building, and more. While in the Emerge program, young adults actively work toward employment and education goals.

Julia Barlar, Director of Emerging Adult Programs

Phone: 615-242-3576, ext. 600 Fax: (615) 228-4344 Email: julia.barlar@parkcenternashville.org

Deborah Ward, Emerging Adults Housing Supervisor

Phone: (615) 242-3576, ext. 601 Fax: (615) 228-4344 Email: deborah.ward@parkcenternashville.org

Tennessee Redline

Phone: 1-800-889-9789 The Tennessee Redline is a toll-free telephone service coordinated by the Tennessee Association of Alcohol, Drug and other Addiction Services, under the supervision of the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Services. Information specialists are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer questions and provide information and referrals on alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and gambling.

TennCare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Resource

Phone: 1-800-758-1638 Operators are available to answer questions concerning the TennCare Partners Program Identified Secondary Barrier: Childcare and Children’s Education ● Children’s Education: County Homeless Liaison List ● Head Start Tennessee Service Directory Head Start and Early Head Start are federally funded programs that promote school readiness of children ages 0-5 from eligible families through education, health, social and other supports and services. Tennessee’s Smart Steps Child Care Payment Assistance Program. (https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/child-care-services/child-care-paymentassistance.html) Parents applying for the Smart Steps program whose income is below the 85th percentile of State Median Income (which can be found on the Income Eligibility and Parent Co-Pay Fee Table using the 85.0% line that coincides with your household size) who have children six (6) weeks to five (5) years old and who work or go to school, or both, for 30 hours or more a week. ● High school or middle school mothers who stay in school and participate in the Teen Parent program. ● Parents in the Families First program who need child care to complete the work activities in their personal responsibility plan. ● Parents whose Families First case has closed can receive transitional child care assistance for 18 months after their Families First case closes IF each parent works 30 hours or more a week.

● Non-parental guardians in the Families First program who need child care for a related child IF the guardian does 30 or more hours of work, training, or education a week. Apply Online at https://cconlineapp.dhs.tn.gov/Home/Login

Identified Secondary Barrier: Transitional Housing and Rental Assistance

A person who is homeless may have a temporary place to stay such as a friend or family member’s house, or hotel. However, barriers exist that a homeless person needs to overcome to achieve a stable place to live. ● RentAssistance (https://www.rentassistance.us/) provides a directory of rental assistance agencies and organizations that will help you pay your rent. Some listings are government organizations, others are nonprofits and charities that offer rental assistance programs. Each organization has its own eligibility rules and conditions and you are encouraged to call directly to find out what you need to do. ● Halfway House Directory (https://halfwayhousedirectory.com/) maintains an extensive catalog of halfway homes for the physical, mental, psychological and emotional treatment of people suffering from substance abuse disorder. If you feel a loved one is going through tough times and requires help, you can contact us on the forum to seek help for them. ● Transitional Housing (https://www.transitionalhousing.org/state/tennessee) is for those who are looking for transitional housing based on their current needs. Types of transitional housing listed: 3/4 house: Sober living homes that help you transition back to your normal life. Sober Living Home: Homes where residents recover from substance abuse. Halfway House: Variety of homes that can assist residents with substance abuse issues, emotional issues, physical issues and to transition back to society. Recovery Home: Transitional homes where residents recover from alcoholism, drug addiction, mental illness, or handicapping conditions. ● The state of Tennessee keeps a list of Approved Traditional Housing ○ https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/correction/documents/TransitionalHousingList.pdf