U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
What it may cover
Varies
Enrollment
Open enrollment
Where available
All 50 states (program design varies significantly by state)
What you get
TANF provides time-limited cash assistance and supportive services to low-income families with children through state-administered programs funded by federal block grants. States have flexibility to design their programs within federal guidelines, creating variation in benefit levels across states. Benefits are limited to a 60-month lifetime maximum and typically require participation in work activities.
Help paying for child care, meals, or services so parents and caregivers can work, study, or stabilize care.
Check what applies to you. Your answers are saved on this device so you can come back later.
Family income must be below the state-set TANF limit (varies widely — many states set it at 30-50% of the federal poverty level)
This program requires income at or below 50% of the Federal Poverty Level. Select your household size to see your exact dollar limit.
How many people are in your household?
Count everyone who lives and eats with you — yourself, partner, children, and dependents.
If you do not have one of these, apply anyway and ask what substitutes are accepted.
Processing time varies by location and program funding.
Your ZIP helps you confirm the right local office and state-specific rules.
TANF replaced the older AFDC program in 1996. Lifetime limit is 60 months of federal benefits.
People helped
1 million families
receiving monthly cash assistance
Annual federal budget
$16.5 billion (federal block grant)
Average benefit
Varies by state — average $442/month for a family of 3
Established
1996
Other programs in the same category that often go hand-in-hand.