TANF Cash Help

TANF provides cash payments to help families pay for food, clothing, housing and other essentials.

TANF for Families

What it offers

Monthly cash payments to help pay for:

  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Housing
  • Utilities
  • Furniture
  • Transportation
  • Phone
  • Laundry
  • Supplies for the home
  • Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid
  • Other basic needs

Who is it for?

Families with children age 18 and younger. Families who can get this help have little to no money or don’t have a way to get money. A family can be: (1) parents and their children, or (2) relatives caring for related children.

To see if a family can get TANF, we must look at:

  • The amount of money the family has.
  • The value of things the family is paying for or owns.
  • The amount the family pays for child care and child support.

Maximum monthly income limits

The following chart gives a general idea of the amount of money (income) a person or family can get and still be in this program. Some people might be able to get benefits even if their income is higher than what is listed in this chart.

Family sizeChild-only casesHome with 1 parent or 1 caretakerHome with 2 parents or 2 caretakers
1$64$78--------
2$92$163$125
3$130$188$206
4$154$226$231
5$198$251$268

Are you a grandparent or an adult caring for a related child? The child you care for might be able to get TANF even if your income is higher than what is listed in this chart.

Other facts

If a child’s parent or relative gets TANF, the parent or relative must agree to:

  • Train for a job or look for work.
  • Follow child support rules.
  • Not quit a job.
  • Not abuse alcohol or drugs.
  • Take parenting skills classes.
  • Get vaccines for their child.
  • Make sure their child is going to school.
  • If you get TANF, we will tell you how you can get help following program rules.

Maximum monthly TANF amount

Family sizeChild-only casesHome with 1 parent or 1 caretakerHome with 2 parents or 2 caretakers
1$121$147--------
2$174$305$234
3$243$353$386
4$290$424$434
5$372$471$503

One-time TANF

What it offers

Money to families in crisis so they can pay for:

  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Housing
  • Utilities
  • Furniture
  • Transportation
  • Phone
  • Laundry
  • Supplies for the home
  • Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid
  • Other basic needs

This help can be given to a family only once a year.

Who is it for?

Families in crisis who:

  • Have children age 18 and younger.
  • Don’t have a lot of money or have a way to get more money.

Crises include losing a job, losing a home or a medical emergency.

One-time TANF for Relatives

What it offers

A once in a lifetime payment of $1,000 to certain relatives caring for one or more related children. This help can be given to the relative only one time — no matter how many other related children live in the home or if other children move in. For more information, read Help Raising Children Related to You (PDF).

The payment can be used for:

  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Housing
  • Utilities
  • Furniture
  • Transportation
  • Phone
  • Laundry
  • Supplies for the home
  • Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid
  • Other basic needs

Who is it for?

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers (this includes great-grandparents, great-aunts and great-uncles) who:

  • Care for a child who gets TANF.
  • Are 25 or older.
  • Do not have a lot of money or have a way to get more money.

Maximum monthly income limits

The following chart gives a general idea of the amount of money (income) a relative can get and still get the payment. Relatives might be able to get the payment even if their income is higher than what is listed in this chart.

If a relative isn't able to get the One-Time TANF for Relatives payment, the child they care for still might be able to get monthly TANF.

Family sizeMonthly income limit
1$2,510
2$3,407
3$4,304
4$5,200
5$6,097

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