• The Tennessee Department of Human Services has issued a new policy offering emergency cash assistance for those impacted at this time by using Families First, the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), funds.

• These funds will be up to $1,000 for a family of 5+ who qualifies and has had a loss of a job as a result of COVID-19.

• These efforts will be up and working within one week, and we encourage Tennesseans in need to apply online when the application becomes available. For additional information, visit  https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/for-families/families-first-tanf.html

Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development

• The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development will extend unemployment benefits to employees who suddenly find themselves out of work as businesses temporarily cease operations during the pandemic.

• The department is also extending unemployment benefits to those who are quarantined by a physician for COVID-19 and are temporarily away from their job.

• The department is also working with the federal government to gain more flexibility in job search requirements.

• The department is suspending certain regulations so those who are approved will get paid more quickly.

• Tennesseans are encouraged to apply online at https://www.jobs4tn.gov/vosnet/Default.aspx

FACING EVICTION?

Tennessee is a judicial eviction state. This means that in order for your landlord to make you move out of the property you are renting, the landlord must first obtain a Court order and a valid Writ of Possession issued by the Court and carried out by local law enforcement. If your landlord tries to remove you through self-help measures (Examples: changing the locks, removing doors, turning off your utilities when they are included in your rental payments, etc.), call your local law enforcement office and tell them that you have not been taken to Court yet and your landlord is engaging in an illegal self-help eviction. Then call your local Legal Aid of East Tennessee office or complete an online application by clicking here.

PRICE GOUGING?

Price gouging can especially be a problem during times of crisis.  To learn more how to protect yourself from price gouging and how to report it, click on the following links for information from the Tennessee Attorney General’s office.

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/attorneygeneral/documents/pr/2020/pr20-10.pdf

https://www.tn.gov/attorneygeneral/working-for-tennessee/consumer/scams-schemes-swindles/price-gouging-faq.html

These are common legal problems experienced by those affected by a pandemic. However, there are many other legal problems that can occur. Please refer any disaster survivor with a legal problem to Legal Aid of East Tennessee. To apply for help from Legal Aid of East Tennessee, please call (423) 756-4013 or apply online at www.laet.org.