West Tennessee Legal Services (WTLS) is proud to unveil our new branding, reflecting our commitment to providing free civil legal representation and educational programs across 17 counties in West Tennessee. Our mission is simple yet profound: to provide equal access to justice in seventeen counties in West Tennessee.  As a nonprofit law firm, we understand the importance of communicating our identity and purpose clearly. That’s why our new logo embodies our history and signifies our dedication to serving our community.  Colors that Speak Volumes  Dark Slate Blue takes center st ..read more

Beginning this year, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) expands eligibility for the Part D Low Income Subsidy (LIS), also called “Extra Help.” This important program helps people afford their medication and coverage. New in 2024, everyone with Extra Help will pay a $0 premium, $0 deductible, and a reduced amount for both generic and brand-name drugs. For people who previously had any level of Extra Help and continue to meet the qualifications, these expanded savings will apply automatically; they do not need to reapply. To qualify for Extra Help, people must, in most cases, live ..read more

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today that it has entered into a Voluntary Compliance Agreement (VCA) with HUD-funded Tennessee housing providers Alco Greenbriar Partners LP, Alco Properties, Inc., and Alco Management, Inc., requiring the respondents to pay $50,000 in compensation to the aggrieved parties. The VCA resolves findings of noncompliance related to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as identified in a Letter of Findings of Noncompliance, as well as findings of noncomplian ..read more

Press Release from The Tennessee Department of Human Services As you may know, in recent months, the Tennessee Department of Human Services has been challenged with processing thousands of SNAP applications in a timely manner. This week we’re making a major effort to conduct phone interviews for approximately 35,000 customers with pending applications. Please help us spread the word to ensure customers don’t miss their call. We began a mass mailing of interview notifications last week, however with the unexpected inclement weather, mail may be slow to reach applicants. If applicants have a ..read more

A Security Deposit does two things. First, it can be used to “secure” a property and take it off the market. Second, it protects the landlord if you break the terms of the lease or rental agreement. It may be used to cover things like damage to the property, cleaning, key replacement, and/or back rent. Read your application and lease closely. If a payment is called a “fee” or “non-refundable deposit,” your signature means you agree with those terms and you cannot ask for a refund for those costs at move out. Can a landlord keep a Security Deposit if I never move in? Yes. If the landlord has ta ..read more

Victim/Witness Coordinators are employed by the District Attorney’s office to help victims and witnesses of crimes to understand their rights and answer their questions about the criminal justice system. The following counties have Victim/Witness Coordinators that can assist victims of crimes through the criminal justice process. Please contact the county where the case is being handled. Benton County: 731-584-2427 Carroll County: 731-986-5031 Chester County: 731-602-9109 Crockett County: 731-470-0502 Decatur County: 731-584-2427 Dyer County: 731-286-8329 Gibson County: 731-470-0502 Hardeman C ..read more

The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits the denial of housing to a person based on the Person’s membership in one or more of the classes protected under the Act. The protected classes are: · Race · Color · Religion · National Origin · Sex (including discrimination because one’s sexual orientation/gender identity) · Familial Status · Disability. Under the Act, disability means with respect to a person: · A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of such person’s major life activities, · A record of such an impairment or · Being regarded as having such an impairment ..read more

Tennessee will accept D-SNAP applications from individuals impacted by the March 31st and April 1st severe weather event. NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is making assistance available to support the health and well-being of individuals impacted by the severe storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes from March 31, 2023 and April 1, 2023. Qualifying households who lived or worked in Cannon, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Lewis, Macon, McNairy, Rutherford, Tipton, and Wayne counties that experienced loss as a result of the March 31st and April 1st , 2023, storms are no ..read more

You may be able to get more savings and lower costs on Marketplace health insurance coverage due to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. If you or your spouse got unemployment income for at least one week in 2021, your whole household may be eligible for a tax credit that covers the entire monthly premium, regardless of your household’s income. This means that you could receive health insurance through healthcare.gov for $0 through 2021, even if you already have a Marketplace plan. This 2021 Special Enrollment Period ends August 15, 2021. Head to the healthcare.gov/more-savings today to learn ..read more

September 22, 2021 The Tennessee Attorney General has issued a consumer alert – flood damaged vehicles may appear in used car markets following Hurricane Ida. By law, these vehicles’ titles should say that they were “flooded,” “salvaged,” or “totaled,” but often vehicles from hurricane-impacted areas are sold to unsuspecting consumers without proper disclosure. Below are some tips on how to avoid purchasing a flood-damaged vehicle. Use the car’s VIN number to check the car’s history at the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System A vehicle history should tell you if the car has been i ..read more