Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Bridging the Gap to Self-Sufficiency

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF is a program funded by both the federal government and the state governments. It aims to provide a safety net for families who are financially struggling and cannot provide for the family’s basic needs.

There are 4 goals that TANF focuses on, which are the following:

1. It provides financial assistance to low-income households to maintain and ensure that children are cared for and live in a healthy and sustained environment with parents or relatives;
2. It orients parents in terms of job preparation, work, and marriage to promote financial independence and stop their dependency on the government;
3. It aims to eradicate and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and
4. It encourages married couples in establishing a two-parent family.

How Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Works

In the TANF program, the federal government provides block grants to the states and each state has the responsibility to organize and provide the TANF program to eligible families. This means that the state or territory is in charge of designing the program within its area. This includes aspects such as the amount of assistance received, eligibility requirements, and other services.

States are also required to use their own funds to support the program and to receive funding from the federal government. This requirement is also known as the Maintenance of Effort of MOE. Hence, the sources for the TANF program in each state are both the federal government and the state government.

Eligibility Requirement

As mentioned earlier, eligibility requirements in each state may vary as well as the limit of benefits the grantees will receive. Usually, the amount of cash assistance will be based on the family’s income and size.

Keep the following points in mind:

• If a household is composed of 3 members without a source of income, they will receive an amount of 654 US dollars of grant each month (this may vary based on the state or area you live in);
• If a family member starts working, only half of the earnings will be counted against the grant; and
• If a family member starts receiving unemployment benefits or other types of assistance from the government, the full amount of the earnings will be counted against the TANF grant.

To be eligible for a TANF grant, you should meet the eligibility requirements:

• The basic income requirement would be having an income resource of 6,000 US dollars or less (although this does not apply in all states);
• Applicant must be a legal citizen of the US and live within the state where they applied;
• Applicant must be either unemployed or underemployed;
• The applicant has a low income;
• Applicant must have a child or children under the age of 18 years old;
• The applicant can be pregnant; and
• Applicants can be under 18 years old and are the head of the family.

Some states might have additional requirements. If you want to know more specific details regarding eligibility requirements, you can visit your state’s local agency or their official site if available.

How to Apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

If you want to apply for TANF benefits you can opt for an online application or through your state’s local agency. You can look for your state’s site using the HHS official website.

If you are in doubt about your eligibility, it is not a bad choice to apply for TANF since one of the sure ways to determine your eligibility is by applying.

TANF’s Work Requisites

When your TANF application is approved, it is very crucial to do the following:

• Cooperate in events or meetings with the Division of Child Support;
• Live in an appropriate living environment especially if you are a teen parent; and
• Participate in events related to the Workfirst program and other referred programs if you are required to.

The Workfirst Program

Part of your TANF benefit membership is assistance from the Workfirst program. This program will:

• Assist in child care expenses;
• Orient and help you in terms of job search, resume writing, and interview skills; and
• Offers training opportunities that will help you get a better job easier.

There are more benefits and types of assistance you can get from Workfirst. You can talk to your case manager for more details.

Time Limitations

TANF offers only temporary assistance to needy families. This means that there is a time limitation in getting benefits from the program. TANF offers a total of 60 months to claim benefits throughout your life unless you are granted an extension.

Frequently Asked Questions