HHS Administration for Children and Families

TANF (Cash Assistance for Families)

TANF gives cash help and support services to families with children who have low income. Each state runs its own program.

How it's run: Run by each state
State guides: 51 of 51
Type of help: cash

TANF in your state

Income limits, apply links and local offices differ by state. Choose yours for the details.

Find your state

ZIP code, list or map

Or choose from the list

Click a state to see TANF rules there

About TANF

What is TANF?

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) gives cash help and support services to low-income families with children. The program can help you pay for basics like rent, food, and utilities.

Each state designs its own TANF program and may use its own program name. This means the rules, income limits, and benefit amounts are different in every state. Check your state's page to learn what applies to you.

Who qualifies

To qualify for TANF, you usually must:

Have a child under a certain age living with you (the age limit varies by state)
Have income below your state's limit
Be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
Live in the state where you apply

Income limits depend on your household size and your state. Most states base eligibility on the federal poverty guidelines, but some use higher limits. Since every state is different, you'll need to check your state's specific rules.

Work requirements

Most adults receiving TANF must take part in work activities. These may include:

Having a job
Searching for a job
Job training or education
Other approved activities

Your state will explain what work activities you need to do and may offer help finding a job or getting training.

Time limits

Federal law generally limits adults to 60 months (5 years) of federally funded TANF cash assistance. This means that once you've received TANF for that long, you usually can't get more federal TANF money.

Some states have shorter time limits. A few states may have exceptions for people with hardships or people caring for very young children. Check your state's rules to be sure.

How much you can get

Benefit amounts vary by state and family size. Most states pay between a few hundred and over a thousand dollars per month, depending on your household size and income. Your state's program page will show what the payment is.

Applying is free. Your state agency decides whether you qualify.

How to apply

You apply through your state's social services or benefits office. Most states let you apply:

Online through your state's benefits website
In person at your local office
By phone or mail (rules vary by state)

Check your state's TANF page to find out how to apply where you live.

What to bring or provide

When you apply, you'll usually need to show:

Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or proof you have no income)
Proof of identity (driver's license or passport)
Proof of citizenship or immigration status
Proof of residence (utility bill or lease)
Information about your children (birth certificates or Social Security numbers)
Information about any child support you receive

Your state may ask for other documents. Ask your local office what you need to bring.

What happens after you apply

After you submit your application, your state will:

Step 1: Review your information to see if you qualify
Step 2: Contact you if they need more documents or details
Step 3: Make a decision and send you a notice

The time it takes varies by state. Some states decide quickly; others may take several weeks. Once you're approved, your payments usually start within a few weeks.

Your state will explain what work activities you need to do and when to start. You may be assigned to a caseworker who helps you find a job or complete training.

Renewing your benefits

You'll need to renew your TANF benefits periodically. Your state will tell you how often (usually every 6 or 12 months) and how to renew. You may need to:

Recertify your income and household
Prove you're meeting work requirements
Update your contact information

If you stop meeting the requirements or don't renew on time, your benefits may stop. Your state will send you a notice before they stop your cash assistance.

If you qualify for TANF, you may also qualify for:

SNAP (the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) – food assistance
Medicaid – health coverage
Child Care Assistance – help paying for child care so you can work or get training
LIHEAP (the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) – help paying heating and cooling bills

Check these programs on our site to see if you qualify.

Find your state's program

Since each state runs TANF differently, visit your state's page to learn the specific rules, income limits, benefit amounts, and how to apply:

TANF guides

Child Tax CreditFederal · Internal Revenue ServiceThe Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that may lower the tax you owe if you are raising qualifying children.EITCFederal · Internal Revenue ServiceThe EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and have low to moderate income. It may lower your tax and add to your refund.

Official sources

HHS Administration for Children and Families: TANF

Found an error? Tell us.