Athens
Ask about Athens
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Athens and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Athens
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Housing help · City office
Athens Housing Authority
199 Clark Street, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Affordable housingApply for housing through the authority’s online application system.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on apps.athensha.org
Utilities · City office
Athens Utilities Board
100 New Englewood Road, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on aub.org
Local office · City office
Athens City Hall
815 N. Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- City government servicesGet help with city information, public records requests, and other city services.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on cityofathenstn.com
Older adults · County office
McMinn County Senior Activity Center
205 McMinn Avenue, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Senior activities and supportOlder adults can visit for activities, fitness classes, and a daily lunch.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on mcminnseniors.com
Jobs and training · Regional office
American Job Center, Athens
1635 Technology Way, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Job search and career helpGet help with job searches, career planning, training, and job applications.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on secareercenter.org
State office
Athens Driver Services Center
150 Plaza Circle, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Driver license and photo ID servicesApply for, renew, or replace a driver license, permit, or photo ID.Apply online
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on tn.gov
Library · County office
E.G. Fisher Public Library
1289 Ingleside Avenue, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Library servicesBorrow books, use computers, and get help finding print and online information.Read more
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on fisherlibrary.org
City of Athens, Tennessee website
Checked on October 9, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Athens
Each one serves this area. Call before you go, since services and hours change.
Food bank
Food banks supply the food pantries and meal sites near you. Call or check the website to find one close by.
Nonprofit
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
2009 Curtain Pole Road, Chattanooga, TN 37406
Listed on feedingamerica.org, checked on October 10, 2026
Free legal help
Free help with civil legal problems, like eviction, benefits and family law, for people with low incomes. Funded by the Legal Services Corporation.
Nonprofit
Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Listed on lsc.gov, checked on October 10, 2026
Community action
Local nonprofits that help people with low incomes. Many help with energy bills, rent, jobs and taxes. Call to ask what they offer now.
Nonprofit
Southeast Tennessee Human Resource Agency
312 Resource Rd, P.O. Box 909, Dunlap, TN 37327-0909
Listed on tn.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Offices for all of McMinn County
Athens is in McMinn County. These county and state offices serve people there too.
Child support · State office
Tennessee Child Support Services, Athens Office
100 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support applications, payments, and case questions.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tn.gov
State office
Tennessee Department of Human Services, McMinn County Office
1008 Knight Road, Suite B, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- SNAP food assistanceApply for food benefits and provide documents for a SNAP case.Apply online
- Families First cash assistanceApply for temporary cash and support services through Families First.Apply onlineRead more
- Child care assistanceAsk about help paying for child care through the state assistance office.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tn.gov
Public health · County office
McMinn County Health Department
393 County Road 554, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Public health servicesGet immunizations, health screenings, testing, and other local health services.
- WICGet nutrition support and food benefits for eligible pregnant people, infants, and children.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mcminncountytn.gov
Local office · Regional office
Tennessee 211
Help here
- Community resource referralsCall 211 to find nearby help with basic needs, health care, housing, and other services.
Last checked October 9, 2026 · Found on uwtn.org
Older adults · Regional office
Southeast Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability
1000 Riverfront Parkway, Chattanooga, TN 37402
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesGet connected to services for older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers in McMinn County.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on setaaad.org
Veterans · County office
McMinn County Veterans Services
5 East Madison Avenue, Athens, TN 37303
Help here
- Veterans benefits assistanceGet help applying for benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on mcminncountytn.gov
Tennessee programs by kind of help
These are run by Tennessee and work the same everywhere in the state. Each page lists the programs and how to apply.
- FoodFood benefits, WIC, school meals and food banks.
- HousingRent help, shelter, and help with heat and power bills.
- HealthHealth coverage, Medicare, mental health care and help with drug costs.
- MoneyCash help, disability, retirement and veterans payments, and tax help.
- CareChild care, help for older adults and disability support.
- EducationHelp paying for college and training, and free preschool.
- WorkJobs, unemployment, and the IDs and papers you need for work.
- Legal helpFree legal help with eviction, family law, benefits and more.
- SafetyHelp with abuse at home, a safe place to stay, and crisis lines.
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help anyone can use
These come from the federal government, so they work the same in every state.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people with little income and few resources who are 65 or older, blind, or have a disability, including children.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes and now cannot work because of a disability that will last a long time.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Social Security retirement benefits
Social Security Administration. Monthly payments for people who worked and paid Social Security taxes, starting as early as 62. Spouses and widows may also get benefits.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - Medicare
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Health insurance for people 65 or older and for some younger people with a disability or kidney failure.
Call 1-800-633-4227 - Extra Help with Medicare drug costs
Social Security Administration. Help paying for Medicare prescription drug plans for people with limited income and resources.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - VA health care
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Health care at VA clinics and hospitals for veterans who served in the active military and did not get a dishonorable discharge.
Call 1-877-222-8387 - VA disability compensation and benefits
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Monthly payments for veterans with an illness or injury caused or made worse by military service, plus education, home loan and other benefits.
Call 1-800-827-1000 - FAFSA, the federal student aid form
U.S. Department of Education. One free form that opens federal grants, work-study and loans for college or trade school. Many states and schools use it for their own aid too.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - Federal Pell Grant
U.S. Department of Education. Money for college or trade school that usually does not have to be paid back, for students with financial need.
Call 1-800-433-3243 - HealthCare.gov
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The federal marketplace for health insurance plans. Many people can get lower monthly costs based on their income.
Call 1-800-318-2596 - Lifeline phone and internet discount
Federal Communications Commission. A monthly discount on phone or internet service for households with low income or who get benefits like SNAP, Medicaid or SSI.
Call 1-800-234-9473 - Head Start and Early Head Start
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Call 1-866-763-6481 - IRS Free File
Internal Revenue Service. File your federal tax return online for free with tax software offered through the IRS, if your income is under the year's limit.
- VITA and TCE free tax help
Internal Revenue Service. IRS-certified volunteers prepare and file your taxes for free, in person, for people with low or moderate income, older adults and people with disabilities.
Call 1-800-906-9887 - Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Internal Revenue Service. A federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can mean a bigger refund, even if you owe no tax.
Call 1-800-829-1040 - Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Help paying rent in a home you choose, for families with very low income, older adults and people with disabilities. Local housing authorities run it, and many have waiting lists.
- Replace a Social Security card
Social Security Administration. Get a free replacement Social Security card if yours was lost, stolen or damaged. Many people can ask online.
Call 1-800-772-1213 - FEMA disaster assistance
Federal Emergency Management Agency. Help with a place to stay, repairs and other needs after a disaster the President has declared in your area.
Call 1-800-621-3362
Checked on October 9, 2026
Talk to a person
- Tennessee 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988