Putnam County
Ask about Putnam County
Ask in your own words. We look up programs and offices for Putnam County and tell you where to go next.
Local offices in Putnam County
We found these on official websites. Call before you go, since hours and places can change.
Human services · State office
Tennessee Department of Human Services, Putnam County Family Assistance Office
1843 Foreman Drive, Suite 101, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Food, cash, health, and childcare assistanceApply for SNAP food benefits, Families First cash assistance, child care certificates, Medicaid, and TennCare.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tn.gov
Child support · State office
Tennessee Department of Human Services, 13th Judicial District Child Support Office
580 S. Jefferson Avenue, Suite N, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Child support servicesGet help with child support services for families in the 13th Judicial District.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tn.gov
Public health · State office
Putnam County Health Department
701 County Services Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Public health servicesGet health services for adults and children, health education, and help with environmental health concerns.
- WICWIC offers eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and young children food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.Apply onlineRead more
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on putnamcountytnhealthdept.com
Older adults · Regional office
Upper Cumberland Area Agency on Aging and Disability
1104 England Drive, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Aging and disability servicesThe agency connects older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers with services and support.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on ucdd.org
Veterans · County office
Putnam County Veteran Service Officer
1656 W. Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Veterans service and claims assistanceGet help preparing and presenting claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on putnamcountytn.gov
Emergency help · County office
Putnam County Emergency Management Agency
Help here
- Emergency preparedness and responseContact the county for information about emergency preparedness and response.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on putnamcountytn.gov
Jobs and training · State office
American Job Center, Cookeville
620 S. Jefferson Avenue, Suite 202, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Employment and training servicesGet help searching for jobs, preparing a resume, finding training, and using job search resources.Apply online
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on tn.gov
Library · County office
Putnam County Library System
50 E. Broad Street, Cookeville, TN 38501
Help here
- Library servicesUse library resources, borrow books and digital materials, and get help from library staff.
Last checked October 8, 2026 · Found on pclibrary.org
Putnam County, Tennessee website
Checked on October 8, 2026
Nonprofits that serve Putnam County
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
Second Harvest Food Bank Of Middle Tennessee Inc
331 Great Circle Road, Nashville, TN 37228
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 Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
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
Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency, Inc.
580 S Jefferson Ave Ste B, Cookeville, TN 38501-4673
Listed on tn.gov, checked on October 9, 2026
Cities and towns in Putnam County
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