Our programs

Help for the immediate crisis.
Support for what comes next.

CHORC provides direct financial assistance and individualized support to help eligible Rutherford County households remain housed, maintain essential utilities, and access necessary prescription medications.

Learn how to request assistance

Housing stability

Rental Assistance

CHORC may help eligible households address a current or past-due rent obligation connected to a documented, involuntary financial crisis.

Assistance is for rent only.
CHORC does not pay deposits, first month’s rent, court costs, late fees, or other landlord charges.
When possible, CHORC prioritizes the current month’s rent.
Payments are made directly to an eligible landlord or property manager.
CHORC cannot pay a client’s relative or another CHORC client.
The proposed payment must sufficiently stabilize the immediate housing crisis.

Amounts and timing vary.

Eligibility, assistance amount, and when a household may return depend on prior assistance, household circumstances, the applicable program, and available funding. Staff will explain which rules apply.

Maintain a healthy home

Utility Assistance

CHORC assists only with electricity, water, and natural gas. We may consider a past-due bill, disconnection threat, unusually high current bill, or utility hardship caused by another qualifying crisis.

Payment must restore service, prevent disconnection, or otherwise resolve the immediate utility crisis.
If CHORC cannot resolve the crisis, staff will help connect the household with other possible resources.
For a water bill caused by a leak, the household must first complete the provider’s leak-adjustment process and provide verification.
CHORC does not pay telephone, cellular, internet, cable, insurance, or other household bills.

Common utility providers

Atmos Energy · Consolidated Utility District · La Vergne Water · Middle Tennessee Electric · Murfreesboro Water Resources · Nashville Electric Service · Smyrna Utilities

Other electricity, water, and natural-gas providers serving Rutherford County may be eligible. CHORC staff will verify the account and provider.

Medication access

Prescription Assistance

CHORC helps eligible households access necessary medications through Beckman’s Pharmacy in Murfreesboro. Clients must be willing to use Beckman’s and transfer approved prescriptions there.

Applicants complete the same household, income, residency, and crisis review required for other CHORC assistance.
Clients must participate in a CHORC appointment to confirm eligibility.
Assistance may cover eligible prescription costs or insurance copays based on program requirements and available funding.
CHORC coordinates approved assistance directly with the pharmacy.
Erectile-dysfunction medication, sleep medication, and opioids are not covered.
All medication assistance is subject to approval based on program requirements and available funding.

Eligibility review schedules vary.

Some clients complete an eligibility review annually, while others do so every three months based on income, employment, and Supportive Stability eligibility. Funding and medication approval are reviewed throughout participation.

Additional support

Supportive Stability

Supportive Stability provides enhanced assistance and individualized case-management support for older adults and households affected by disability. Depending on a household’s situation and available funding, support may include help with housing, utilities, prescriptions, and other essential needs.

Designed for households with an older adult or someone affected by disability.
May provide additional assistance or more frequent access when applicable.
Eligibility and available assistance are determined individually.
CHORC staff may request documentation to review the household’s needs and available options.

Think Supportive Stability may be right for your household? Please visit or contact CHORC to discuss your situation and learn whether you may qualify.

Beyond the payment

Case Management & Resource Navigation

CHORC’s work does not end when a bill is paid. We take time to understand what led to the crisis, identify other needs affecting the household, and help clients find resources that can make the next month—and the months after that—more manageable.

A household-needs assessment focused on the immediate crisis and longer-term barriers
Screening for benefits and public resources, including SNAP, TennCare, LIHEAP, disability-related benefits, and other programs that may apply
Connections to employment services, job-search support, training opportunities, and workforce partners
Referrals to trusted local partners for food, health care, transportation, legal, financial, and family-support resources
Help identifying practical next steps, gathering information, and following through on referrals
Follow-up contacts and surveys to learn what worked, what is still needed, and how CHORC can improve

Built around your household’s situation.

Case management is not a one-size-fits-all checklist. Some clients may need help navigating a benefit application or finding employment resources; others may need a connection to health care, food, transportation, or another local service. Staff work with each household to identify realistic next steps.

Case management and follow-up are part of receiving CHORC assistance. These conversations help us stay connected, make helpful referrals, and support each household’s progress toward greater stability.

Every situation is different

Come to the office before completing paperwork.

CHORC staff will identify the program, documentation, and funding requirements that apply to your household.

View the assistance process and office hours