Knox County households that have lost income due to COVID-19 are encouraged to apply for funds available to pay residential utility bills—including those on a payment plan—before the deadline of Tuesday, Nov. 10. 

The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) has $600,000 in CARES Utility funds to make utility bill payments for households whose income has been reduced by the pandemic. Application forms are available for download at http://www.knoxcac.org/newweb/programs-services/energy-community-services. 

Because these funds are not tied to income, individuals or households of any income level should apply if at least one member of the household has been affected by COVID-19 in one of the following ways:

• Job loss, reduction of hours or wages due to COVID-19
• Missed work to care for a child due to illness, school closure, or online learning due to COVID-19
• Missed work to care for an adult family member or relative diagnosed with COVID-19
• COVID-19-related out-of-pocket medical expense
• Unable to find employment due to COVID-19

Applicants should send the completed application along with a copy of driver’s license or photo ID; a copy of the most recent utility bill(s); and documentation of the COVID-19-related income loss using one of the following methods:

E-mail: [email protected]

Mail:   
Knox CAC West Neighborhood Center
P.O. Box 51650
Knoxville, TN 37950

Drop off: 
CARES drop box
L.T. Ross Building main entrance
2247 Western Avenue
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. 

To receive additional information or support, call the CAC Neighborhood Center located nearest you: 

• West/Central/North: 865-524-3345
• East/South: 865-546-5125


This project is financially supported under a grant contract with the State of Tennessee.

This service is offered to Knox County residents by CAC and its community partner Community Action for Affordable Neighborhoods (CAAN).