Community Service Block Grant Program (CSBG)
Goal: To provide a range of services and activities to eligible low-income individuals and families 125% Poverty Guidelines to achieve self-sufficiency and improve the conditions of the communities in which they live. ALL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FUNDED BELOW HAVE STATE AND FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE.
Services & Activities:
Emergency Services: One-time payments to families or individuals to help meet emergency needs for utilities and miscellaneous needs. See also Emergency Energy Assistance Programs and Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Nutrition: Use of CSBG resources to store and distribute surplus USDA agricultural commodities. Determine eligibility for Commodity Program and Resource Card Program for local food pantries.
Linkages: Information & Referral (I&R) to answer inquiries about available services and make referrals to community programs. Assists with funding for chore services for elderly clients through the Office on Aging.
Health: Provide assistance through referrals from local dentists and Trinity Health Clinic in providing only emergency dental assistance and dentures to those eligible households.
Employment: Provide assistance through referrals to those eligible households with gas cards to seek out employment, attend job interviews and attend work. Limited benefit.
Client Applications & Eligibility: Persons interested in applying for assistance should contact Blount County Community Action Agency for an appointment and application. Household income guidelines for the regular and ARRA program are 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
Office on Aging
The Office on Aging provides information and education on a variety of aging, older adult topics and services, including caregiving and Medicare. This office funded through the Older Americans Act and in agreement with the State of Tennessee to provide the following additional services in Blount County:
- Advocacy and information on available services for seniors and caregivers
- Senior Service Directory (published every 3 years)
- Outreach to the community on a variety of topics (Focus on Seniors workshops)
- Senior Action Council, the planning and implementation group of Blount County leaders
- Eldercare and Elder Abuse supports
- Aging in Place supports
For supports in senior issues, please contact Teresa O’Mary, Office on Aging Director at tomary@blountcaa.org
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Goal: To provide annual one-time assistance with home energy costs to eligible low-income households at 126% Federal Poverty Guidelines and 60% State Median Income ( Federal Poverty Guidelines). The Energy Crisis intervention component provides services to households which are subject to life-threatening conditions without immediate intervention to address their critical energy-related needs.
Client Applications & Eligibility: Blount County residents living at or below the identified eligibility guidelines qualify for LIHEAP assistance, as long as funding is available. Eligibility is also based on a priority point system so that households with members who are elderly, disabled and/or under the age of six.
Onsite appointments are no longer the method of submitting an application packet. If you need assistance for copies of the required documents, please come to the agency during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm) and we will make copies for you. Failure to submit all required documents with your application packet, will delay assessment and service abilities.
Below is the 2023 LIHEAP application:
Ways to submit an application:
- For your convenience, there is a secure drop box located by the front entrance and both side entrances of our building that can be accessed 24 hours/day. Please do not put sensitive documents such as original SSI, Veteran or court documents, or drivers’ licenses or social security cards in the drop box. Reminder, if you need assistance for copies of these required documents, please come to the agency during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm).
OR
- Mail to:
Blount Co Community Action Agency
3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803
Attn: Community Services Program
OR
- Email scanned documents (photo from phones accepted) to: liheap@blountcaa.org
OR
- Fax to: (866) 637-7245
For questions: please email Amanda Cooper, Utilities Assistance Manager at acooper@blountcaa.org OR call (865) 983-8411, Ext 2003
This project is funded under an agreement with the Tennessee Housing Development Agency.
For more information on LIHEAP, visit: “Help for Tennessee Families”
Commodity Food Distribution
U. S. Department of Agriculture surplus foods are distributed to qualifying low income (150% of federal poverty guidelines) households four times each year in a drive-through event at the Blount County Community Action Agency.
A typical distribution provides 40-45 pounds of food to a household and may feature items such as rice, beans, peanut butter, soup, spaghetti, canned fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, nuts, dried fruit, etc.
Eligibility criteria: Proof of Blount County residency; Self-declaration of income (150% of federal poverty guidelines).
For more information and distribution dates, please email Kristi Cochran, CSBG Manager at kcochran@blountcaa.org
SMiles (Senior Miles)
The Office on Aging is proud to announce SMiles, a senior friendly, door-through-door transportation program for Blount County residents who are over age 60 and in need of rides for essential trips like medical visits or to pick up groceries. SMiles drivers are volunteers who use their personal automobiles to give rides and are well-screened, trained and supervised. SMiles is currently recruiting volunteer drivers as well as promoting awareness among seniors in need of affordable, reliable transportation.
SMiles is a membership program that costs $25 per year. In addition to the cost of membership, the advance purchase of four $6 round trip rides is required. Therefore, the initial cost of membership and a set of 4 rides is $49. All charges are paid in advance by check or credit card to Blount County Community Action Agency. After this payment of $49, any number of $6 rides can be purchased in advance with a 4-ride minimum of $24. Gift certificates for parents, relatives, neighbors and friends are available by calling 865-724-1331.
SMiles is designed for seniors 60+ who live independently, can walk with assistance of a walker or cane and can communicate with the volunteer driver. Wheelchair accommodated are not available through SMiles; however, ETHRA provides transportation for wheelchairs. Call ETHRA at 1-800-232-1565 for more information if you utilize a wheelchair.
SMiles operates Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with trips within Blount County only. Once membership information is processed, a welcome packet is mailed to the rider with instructions on how to schedule a ride. Trips are arranged three business days in advance by calling 724-1331.
In order to become a (rider) member, please complete and mail in your Membership Application, Consent Form and Rider Code of Conduct OR call (865) 724-1331 and request a packet will be mailed to you. You may also email with any questions or requests for an application to Mary Mixon, SMiles Manager at mmixon@blountcaa.org
Mailing Address:
Blount Co Community Action Agency
3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803
Attn: SMiles Program
Membership Application
Consent Form
Rider Code of Conduct
AARP Low-Cost Transportation
Interested in Becoming a SMiles Volunteer Driver?
As a driver, your goal will be to pick up and transport riders to their doctor appointments, grocery trips or other essential errands. While BCCAA cannot pay you for your time, you will be reimbursed for gas if desired, or provided with IRS documentation for tax purposes.
Drivers must be at least 21 years of age, pass a background check, hold a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and have a safe driving record. A written application, reference checks, an interview and driver training program are completed by all drivers prior to being scheduled.
SMiles Driver Application 4.18
Emergency Energy Assistance Programs
Emergency help with utility bills is provided from various funding sources administered by BCCAA. Funding sources include the federal Emergency Food and Shelter Program and local utility company programs (Share the Warmth).
For information on donating to the Share the Warmth programs, contact:
For City of Maryville Utilities customers, refer to their website at www.maryvillegov.com and click the tabs for Financial Services Department and Customer Service.
For City of Alcoa Utilities customers, refer to their website at www.cityofalcoa-tn.gov and click the tabs for Electric Department and Products & Services.
For Atmos Energy customers, refer to their website at www.atmosenergy.com and click the tabs for Billing & Payment Options and Energy Assistance.
Also, utility deposits may be paid for qualified households depending on availability of funding. Income guidelines apply. Contact Blount County Community Action Agency for details.
Smoky Mountain Meals on Wheels
Provides a nutritious midday meal Monday through Friday to Blount County residents 60 years or older who are confined to their homes and unable to prepare meals for themselves for various reasons. Priority is given to those with the greatest need.
Meals are delivered by Blount County Community Action Agency – Meals On Wheels volunteers. If you are interested in receiving Meals on Wheels for yourself or someone you know, contact Blount County Community Action Agency Senior Nutrition for an application. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please download and complete the Vol Application.
Congregate Meals: Midday meals for Blount County residents 60 years or older at several congregate dining sites throughout the county. The sites and days of service include:
Louisville Community Center: Tuesday and Thursday
Martin Luther King Center: Tuesday and Friday
If you are interested in receiving a meal at one of the congregate meal sites, contact Meals on Wheels (865) 983- 8411 to reserve a meal and an application can be completed at the meal site. For transportation needs to and from Congregate meals sites contact: SMiles transportation at (865) 724-1331
This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee- ETAAAD
Please download and complete all forms below and mail to BCCAA, Meals on Wheels, 3509 Tuckaleechee Pk., Maryville, TN 37803.
Smoky Mountain Meals on Wheels Video – It More than Just a Meal (Produced and provided courtesy of Promedia)
Information release and grievance form
SAFER Homes Program, Ramp Services
The SAFER Homes Program provide temporary and permanent ramps for seniors with mobility issues that create safe and accessible abilities for a senior to enter and exit their home.
Clients in need of a temporary or permanent ramp follow these steps:
- Submit a written application (assistance with completing the application will be provided, if needed)
- Provide proof of income or participation in an assistance program (Food stamps, etc.)
- Provide written permission from the property owner, if renting
- Sign/submit agreement; Sign/submit an Informed Consent Form
The SAFER Homes Program ramps are designed and built by skilled staff and volunteers. If you would like to learn more about volunteering for ramp projects, please email Joanie Shaver, Program Manager at jshaver@blountcaa.org.
Savings CheckUp Program
Savings CheckUp is a program offered by the Blount County Office on Aging through a grant from the National Council on Aging. Medicare beneficiaries often have additional supportive resources available that may financially help them pay for medical care and prescriptions, groceries, utilities, long-term care, and other routine expenses.
In addition to many local and state resources, Savings CheckUp screens for and helps with the enrollment process for these five federal benefits:
- Extra Help with Medicare prescription costs
- Medicare Savings to help with Medicare premiums, deductibles and copays
- TennCare for a broad range of services for Medicare beneficiaries
- SNAP (food stamps) for monthly credits that enable recipients to buy food
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for help with home heating and cooling costs
For more information or to request a telephone assessment to see if a Medicare beneficiary is eligible for additional services, please email Benefits Enrollment Manager, Becky Waugh.
bwaugh@blountcaa.org
