What Is The Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF) Program?

Guide Resources

Locations
U.S.
Agencies
Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families Office of Family Assistance

This article is provided for educational purposes only. Information presented here does not constitute legal, financial, or other advice. Consult with appropriate professionals before preparing and filing any documents.

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program assists families with children when parents cannot provide for the family's basic needs. It offers financial support (also known as welfare) to low-income families for food, rent, clothing, utilities, transportation, and other expenses. TANF programs also provide housing, education, childcare assistance, job training, and work placement services.

Which Agency Administers The TANF Program?

The federal government does not directly pay cash assistance to TANF recipients. Instead, states receive federal grants to fund their own TANF programs. Each state has broad authority in structuring the program, establishing eligibility requirements, determining the type and amount of assistance payments, and the range of additional support services.

The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) administers the TANF and tribal TANF programs at the federal level. OFA operates within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

What Are The Goals Of TANF?

The purpose of TANF is to reduce dependency on public benefits by increasing self-sufficiency, education, and economic mobility of affected families.

The four goals of the TANF program are to:
  1. Enable families with children to live in their own homes or with their relatives.
  2. Reduce dependence on state benefits through marriage, job preparation, and work.
  3. Reduce pregnancies among unmarried partners.
  4. Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

These objectives are outlined in the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), the law that created TANF, replacing the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training (JOBS) and the Emergency Assistance (EA) programs.

In general, TANF funds must be used to benefit families with children and encourage efforts to reduce out-of-wedlock childbirth and promote marriage. TANF funds cannot be used to assist most legal immigrants until they have been in the U.S. for at least five years.

What Kind Of Assistance Does TANF Provide?

Basic Assistance
  • Cash Assistance
  • Housing
  • Transportation
  • Transitional Services
  • Financial Literacy and Counseling
  • Technology Access
  • Fatherhood, Parenting, Family Planning
  • Mental, Physical, and Behavioral Health
  • Substance-Abuse Treatment and Recovery

Education
  • Educational and Literacy Services
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Child Care, Head Start, Pre-K, and Home Visiting
  • Mentoring, After School, Summer, and Youth Programs
  • Post-Secondary Access and Support for Youth and Adults

Employment
  • Job Training
  • Employment Services
  • Youth Employment Programs
  • Workforce Development
  • Career Awareness Initiatives
  • Apprenticeships & Pre-Apprenticeships
  • Re-Entry Services

Am I Eligible For TANF?

To qualify for TANF, you must be:
  • a U.S. citizen, legal alien, or qualified alien, and
  • a resident of the state where you're making your application, and
  • unemployed or underemployed and have low income.

You must also fulfill at least one of the following conditions:
  • have a child who's 18 years old or younger, or
  • be pregnant, or
  • be 18 years or younger, and the head of your household.
  1. Recipients (with few exceptions) must work as soon as they are job ready or no later than two years after coming on assistance.
  2. Single parents are required to participate in work activities for at least 30 hours per week. Two-parent families must participate in work activities 35 hours a week.
  3. Failure to participate in work requirements can result in a reduction or termination of benefits to the family.
  4. States must ensure that 50% of all families and 90% of two-parent families participate in work activities, such as:
    • unsubsidized or subsidized employment
    • work experience
    • on-the-job training
    • vocational training
    • job search
    • community service
    • secondary school attendance
    • providing child care services to others who are participating in community service

Additionally, check your state's specific requirements for their TANF program conditions and qualifications.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, TANF assisted 1.06 million families in 2020, but for every 100 families in poverty nationwide, only 21 received TANF cash assistance (down from 68 families in 1996).

Are Non-Citizens Eligible For TANF?

  • Any non-citizen should have a document granting them permanent residence in the United States.
  • A qualified child under the age of 18 years may be eligible even if the parent is not.
  • The applicant's immigration status does not matter if they seek assistance on behalf of someone else (who is qualified).

How Much Can I Get From TANF?

TANF benefit amount depends on your family size, household income, and financial situation. For example, in Washington, a family of three without income is eligible for a monthly TANF disbursement of $654, while Missouri offers about $200-$250 per month.

How Can I Apply For TANF?

You will need the following information for yourself and any other applicants:
  • Name and date of birth
  • Social security number
  • Information about employment, income, and assets

Online
Each state offers an online TANF application that asks for information about your family, employment, income, and financial status. The application process takes between 20 minutes to an hour. You can find the link to your state's online TANF application here.

Phone Application
Most states accept phone applications. Contact your state's Department of Human Services to complete the application by phone.

In-Person or Mail Application
Find and download your state's TANF application form and filing instructions.

What Happens After I Apply For TANF?

You will be invited for an eligibility interview. The caseworker will ask you questions and may request records to verify the information on the application, such as:
  • Identity documents (passport, permanent resident card, Social Security card, state-issued ID, driver's license, etc.)
  • Tax returns
  • Paycheck stubs
  • Bank statements
  • Marriage certificates
  • Children's birth certificates

Once your application is processed, the department will notify you by mail of TANF benefits eligibility or denial.

When Will I Receive My TANF Benefits?

The application processing time and waiting period vary from state to state. For instance, North Dakota processes funds within 30 days from the date of application, while Missouri typically reviews applications within 10 business days.

How Long Can I Receive TANF Benefits?

Although each state has different TANF eligibility limitations, it cannot exceed the federal limit of 60 months (five years).

References

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