DonateEmergency assistance
Start by coming to the CHORC office.
Every household’s situation is different. A face-to-face conversation allows our staff to understand your crisis and tell you exactly which forms and documents you will need.
Forms are available online for convenience, but please do not begin completing them until you have visited the CHORC office and received further instructions from a staff member. Every household’s situation is different, and staff must determine which forms, sections, and supporting documents apply to your request. Completing or submitting paperwork does not guarantee assistance.
What to expect
How the assistance process works
- 1
Visit the office
Tell us what happened, what assistance you need, and what immediate consequence you are facing.
- 2
Document the crisis
CHORC must confirm that an unexpected crisis outside your reasonable control directly caused the financial hardship.
- 3
Submit the requested documents
Staff will provide the correct list for your situation. Appointments cannot be scheduled until all required documents are received.
- 4
Attend your appointment
CHORC reviews eligibility, household income, the requested bill, available funding, and whether assistance will resolve the crisis.
- 5
CHORC issues approved assistance
Rent and utility payments are made directly to the landlord or utility provider. Medication assistance is provided through a voucher to CHORC’s participating pharmacy.
Basic eligibility
Who may qualify
CHORC counts the gross income of all adults living in the home. Income is calculated using HUD guidelines and must fall at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Level for the household size.
CHORC is committed to equitable access to services for all eligible households. Read our Nondiscrimination Statement.
- Currently live in Rutherford County, Tennessee
- Have lived in Rutherford County for at least the previous six consecutive months
- Have gross household income at or below 200% of the current Federal Poverty Level
- Be experiencing a documented qualifying crisis or meet applicable Supportive Stability requirements
- Provide all forms and supporting documents requested by CHORC
- Meet the requirements of the applicable assistance program
2026 income eligibility
Maximum gross household income
These limits represent 200% of the 2026 Federal Poverty Guidelines for the 48 contiguous states. CHORC staff makes the final income determination using documentation from all adults in the home and applicable HUD calculation rules.
Download the complete 2026 guidelines (PDF) →| Household size | Monthly limit | Annual limit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2,660 | $31,920 |
| 2 | $3,607 | $43,280 |
| 3 | $4,553 | $54,640 |
| 4 | $5,500 | $66,000 |
| 5 | $6,447 | $77,360 |
| 6 | $7,393 | $88,720 |
| 7 | $8,340 | $100,080 |
| 8 | $9,287 | $111,440 |
For households larger than eight, please ask CHORC staff to determine the applicable limit. Guidelines are updated annually.
Helpful starting point
Income Pre-Check
Enter your household size and estimated combined gross monthly income for all adults in the home. This tool compares your estimate with CHORC’s current basic income guideline.
This is an estimate only—not an approval decision. CHORC staff reviews the household’s documents and applies applicable income-calculation rules when determining eligibility. Income from all adults in the home must be considered.
Forms & documents
Visit the CHORC office before completing paperwork.
Before completing any paperwork, you must visit the CHORC office and speak with a staff member about your household’s requirements. Staff will tell you which forms apply to your request and what supporting documents you will need.
All applications and paperwork for assistance must be returned in person to the CHORC office. CHORC does not accept assistance applications by email. Applications or paperwork sent by email will not be retained or reviewed.
- The primary applicant must complete the Combined Intake Packet.
- Every household member age 18 or older who lives in the home must complete an Adult Application Packet.
- Children age 17 and younger may be listed on the Additional Household Members Form.
Please do not list an adult age 18 or older on the Additional Household Members Form. If an adult is listed there, the paperwork will need to be corrected before your request can move forward.
Qualifying crisis
What “through no fault of your own” means
A qualifying crisis is an unexpected event that the applicant did not choose and could not reasonably prevent. Examples may include:
- Employer downsizing, layoff, or involuntary reduction in hours
- Missing work because of illness, injury, or hospitalization
- An unexpected essential medical or household expense
- Delayed, reduced, or terminated benefits or household income
- Fire, natural disaster, theft, or another documented emergency
- Death or loss of a household income earner
- An unusually high utility bill that meets program guidelines
Voluntarily quitting or changing employment does not qualify as an involuntary loss of income. Households eligible for the Supportive Stability Program may be considered under different crisis criteria, including insufficient income. Every situation is reviewed individually.
Assistance must stabilize the immediate housing crisis.
CHORC pays rent only. We do not pay deposits, first month’s rent, court costs, late fees, or other landlord charges. The amount and frequency of assistance depend on eligibility, prior assistance, the applicable program, and funding availability.
CHORC must determine that the proposed payment will sufficiently stabilize the household. A client contribution, other confirmed assistance, or written confirmation from the landlord may be required.
Eligibility does not guarantee assistance.
Approval depends on the complete review, program requirements, documentation, the ability to resolve the immediate crisis, and funding available at the time of the request.