What is TANF?

TANF is a federal cash assistance and work participation program, sometimes also called welfare or Cash EBT. In 2025, about 900,000 families per month participated in TANF.

Like food stamps, TANF is for low-income families. But instead of providing food assistance, TANF is meant to help low-income families afford a variety of living expenses while building long-term stability through job and training opportunities.

Propel is the #1-rated EBT balance checking app

Download

How does TANF work?#how-does-tanf-work

TANF stands for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. TANF is most known for providing families who qualify with cash assistance that can be used for basic needs like rent, utilities, diapers, transportation, and other expenses. In most states these benefits are delivered on an EBT card which functions like a debit card anywhere that takes EBT.

But TANF provides much more than just money. In many states, TANF opens the door to get:

Free or subsidized childcare (after-school programs, daycare while you work, daycare while you attend training or school)
Training and education (GED classes, work programs, vocational training, community college partnerships, certifications, financial literacy courses)
Career coaching (resume help, interview coaching, required job search hours)
Job placement programs
Transportation assistance (bus passes, gas cards, car repair help, rideshare vouchers, mileage reimbursement for work programs)
Transitional supports for post-TANF (transitional childcare, work clothing vouchers, tool or uniform purchases, continued transportation help)

TANF offers expanded benefits because it is essentially a workforce participation program. It is designed to provide families with short-term financial support and the tools to move toward long-term financial stability.

If you qualify for TANF, you’ll usually receive your first payment within 30 days of applying. Each month, your state will load a set amount of cash onto your EBT card based on your income, household size, and state rules.

While you receive TANF, you’ll need to meet certain work, training, or education requirements to keep your benefits. Some people, such as caregivers and those with disabilities, may be exempt from these requirements.

How much money do you get from TANF?#how-much-money-do-you-get-from-tanf

TANF benefit amounts vary widely by state.

In 2024, the maximum benefit amount that a family of three could get ranged from $204 per month in Arkansas to $1,370 per month in Minnesota.

The median monthly TANF payment for a family of three across the United States in the same year was $552 per month.

Who can get TANF?#who-can-get-tanf

TANF is meant to support very low-income families with children, and in some states, pregnant people. In some states, eligibility for TANF also depends on the value of things you own (like a car or savings), but the home you live in usually doesn’t count.

While the rules vary by state, you may qualify if you:

Have at least one child who is 18 or under
Are pregnant or a teen parent
Meet your state’s income and asset limits for TANF
Are a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status
Live in the state where you're applying
Are not receiving SSI (Supplemental Security Income) — you cannot get SSI and TANF at the same time.

Find your state’s TANF website here and look up your state’s eligibility criteria.

How to apply for TANF#how-to-apply-for-tanf

The TANF application process is run by each state, so it looks different depending on where you live.

You usually have three options for submitting a TANF application:

Online through your state’s benefits website
In person at your local human services or family assistance office
By phone, or with the help of a community organization or social worker

Once you get started, the TANF application will ask you to list all the people you are applying for. TANF is a child-focused program, so a TANF application typically includes the child(ren) as well as anyone financially responsible for the children (parents and sometimes stepparents). You can also apply on behalf of a child and get TANF for the child only. You typically don’t need to include people that you live with, like roommates or relatives, as long as you have separate finances.

Your TANF caseworker will also request documents from you to complete your application. Documents you may need include:

A photo ID or birth certificate for everyone listed on the application
Proof of income and assets (like pay stubs, benefit letters, or bank statements)
Proof of where you live (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement)
Information about your children or pregnancy
Social Security Numbers, if available, for everyone listed on the application

Once you submit your application, you may be contacted to complete an interview. Generally most states try to complete TANF eligibility reviews within 30 days. If you’re approved you’ll get a letter in the mail along with your new EBT card.

How to manage your TANF benefits#how-to-manage-your-tanf-benefits

Once approved for TANF, you’ll need to manage your case to make sure you don’t miss any important deadlines.

To keep your case active and benefits safe:

Report changes in income, address, or household size to your TANF agency or caseworker as soon as possible. Each state decides its own deadline for reporting changes, but in most states you have 10 days to report changes to your caseworker.
Respond to notices from your caseworker and TANF agency. TANF will send you notices in the mail when you need to take action on your case. Keep your mailing address up to date and don’t throw away unmarked mail.
Complete required work or education activities. TANF requires you to participate in a certain number of work, job training, education, or career activities monthly to continue receiving benefits.
Recertify your case on time. Every 6 months, at minimum, your state will review your eligibility for TANF, though some states review more often. You can get TANF for 60 months across your lifetime, so these reviews make sure you are still eligible.

You can use an app like Propel to check your EBT cash balance and track your benefits. If your EBT card is lost or stolen, contact your state’s EBT customer service number right away.