According to the Social Security Administration, in 2021 the number of people on some form of government benefit in the USA was about 65 million, equivalent to 10 million households. 

Government benefits can be a vital resource for many Americans for a variety of reasons related to economic hardship. There are a plethora of resources, both federally and at state level, to help Americans in times of need. 

However, it is not without complications. There are so many different reasons, and so many different acronyms, that it is difficult to know where to start.

This is why we have created a guide for applying for one of the most common forms of government benefits in the USA: welfare benefits, also known as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families).

What is TANF?

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is a federal program that provides grant funds to states, and territories, so that they are able to financially assist families as well as offer those families other forms of support services. The aim of TANF is to help low-income families with children achieve economic self-sufficiency. 

States use TANF to fund monthly assistance payments to low-income families that have children, as well as offer them a wide range of other services. These state-administered services may include job preparation, work assistance, and childcare assistance. What is offered by each state will vary depending on how the state chooses to use the funding.

What can TANF be Used For?

The monthly cash payments that TANF provides can help a family pay for:

• Clothing

• Food

• Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid

• Domestic supplies

• Housing

• Laundry

• Utilities

• Furniture

• Phone

• Transportation

Who is TANF for?

TANF is generally considered to be funds specifically for families with children aged 18 or younger. Families who are eligible for TANF tend to be those families who have little to no money or do not have a way of getting money and welfare is better than being reliant on payday loans or other high cost loans. A family is considered to be either parents and their children, or relatives caring for related children.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for TANF?

To be eligible for TANF, applicants must be a resident of the state in which they apply, be a US citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. The applicant must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. They must also either have a child, be pregnant, or be 18 years of age or younger and the head of their household.

Again, it is difficult to pin down exactly the eligibility criteria for TANF as it will vary quite significantly according to state. But generally what those assigning TANF look for is:

• The amount of money that a family has

• The value of the assets that a family pays for or owns

• The amount that the family pays for child care and child support

Generally there will be maximum monthly income limits that a person and family can get and still be eligible for TANF. In Texas, for example, a home with one parent or caretaker can earn a maximum of $78 per month and still be eligible for TANF. The amount that a person or family can earn and remain eligible will depend both on the size of the family and the state that the family resides in. 

This is also true of the amount that a family can receive through TANF. For example, in Texas if you are a one parent household with 3 children, you will receive a monthly payment of $327 through TANF. But if you are a two-parent household and have 5 children, you will receive $466.

It is also important to note that if a child’s parent or relative receives TANF, there will generally be rules that that individual must agree to stick to in order to keep receiving payment. Again, what these rules are, and how many there are, will vary from state to state, but generally will include some of the following:

• The parent or relative must be actively looking for work or training for a job

• The parent or relative must follow child support rules

• The parent or relative must not quit a job

• The parent or relative must not abuse alcohol or drugs

• The parent or relative must make sure that their child is attending school

• The parent or relative must get vaccines for their child

• The parent or relatives must take parenting skills classes

How to Apply for TANF

The best way to apply for TANF is to do so online. You must apply for TANF through the state that you reside in. Every US state has a specific application page for TANF that will determine your eligibility. Remember that it is important to check the eligibility requirements for your state before you make an online application. If you are unsure, most states also provide a phone number to call where you can check with a qualified assistant if you are eligible for the program.