What is TANF?
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also known as TANF, provides temporary, monthly cash to eligible families. Families must include a pregnant individual or minor child. Some families are required to participate in the WorkFirst program, which helps participants find and keep jobs.
Residents of Washington state that are not eligible for TANF solely because of eligibility changes to the Welfare Reform Act may be eligible for State Family Assistance, or SFA.
Can I get TANF?
You may get TANF if you:
- Are pregnant.
- Are caring for your own minor child or a relative’s child who is living with you.
- Are caring for a child who is under the age of 19 and is currently participating in high school or a high school equivalency program.Meet resource limits and income requirements based on your household size.
- Meet TANF time limits.
If you are a grandparent, relative or unrelated adult, you may be eligible for a Non-Needy TANF grant for the children in your care.
What is Non-Needy TANF?
Non-Needy TANF (also known as child-only or Kinship TANF) is a program for caretakers of relative children who are not their own. This program gives additional funds for families to help support the child in their care. The caregiver’s income is not used when determining TANF eligibility. You may be eligible for Non-Needy TANF if you are taking care of your minor:
- Grandchild.
- Sibling or cousin.
- Niece or nephew.
- Child who was placed in your care by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families, who are not receiving foster care payments.
Can I get TANF for a child in my care who is not a relative?
Yes, families might qualify for TANF for a child that is not a relative if they are:
- Legal guardians.
- Acting in the place of a parent.
Families can apply for TANF benefits on behalf of these children through our Non-Needy Relative, In Loco Parentis and Legal Guardian Program.
If I am approved for TANF, what will I have to do?
WorkFirst
You may be required to participate in the WorkFirst program. The WorkFirst program may be able to help you:
- Find a job.
- Gain work experience.
- Enroll in school or training programs.
- Address barriers to employment.
- Engage in treatment (i.e., mental health, and substance use disorder treatment).
You don’t need to participate in the WorkFirst program if you receive Non-Needy TANF and are only receiving the cash grant on behalf of the child in your care.
Child Support
You’ll also be required to participate with the Division of Child Support by opening a child support case for the parent/s who is/are not in the home. However, you can ask DCS not to provide those services if it would cause physical or emotional harm to you or the children in your care, this is called “good cause”.
You can learn more about and request good cause by reading, completing and returning the How You Must Help With Support Collection form.
- If you are receiving Non-Needy TANF, you are required to participate with the Division of Child Support.
- Child support for TANF families is assigned to the state, however, some of the child support collected may be passed through to the family.
- If you do not participate with the WorkFirst program or cooperate with DCS, your grant may be reduced.
- You can learn more about these services on the Child Support Program page.
What is WorkFirst?
WorkFirst is a program designed to help parents get back into the work force. If you are receiving TANF, you may be required to participate. The WorkFirst program is designed around your needs and goals. It can help you find a job, get enrolled in school and help with child care. When you first apply for TANF, you will go through the WorkFirst orientation and learn more about the program.
WorkFirst Performance Measures:
To learn more about WorkFirst and how participants engage in the program, including workforce participation, DSHS publishes outcome measures. These measures are available here each quarter as a resource for program staff, administrators, partners, and community members.
For more information, including the TANF State Plan, please visit the official Washington State WorkFirst TANF website
How does child support affect my TANF?
If the state collects child support from the parent/s who is/are not in the home, they may give you what is called a pass-through payment. This payment is in addition to your TANF grant.
Effective Feb. 1, 2021, if DCS receives a current child support payment, it will send you a pass-through payment of:
- Up to $50 per month with one child.
- Up to $100 per month with two or more children.
- Additional information can be found at Child support pass-through payment: What is it? | DSHS (wa.gov)
How long can I get TANF?
Families can receive TANF for up to 60 months or five years. This doesn’t apply to you if you're not receiving a TANF grant for yourself. Examples of this are those receiving Supplemental Security Income, or do not meet immigration requirements.
You may get an extension if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Are at least 65 years old, blind or disabled.
- Have an open child welfare case with a state or tribal government.
- Are working in unsubsidized employment for 32 hours or more per week.
- Are experiencing or have experienced family violence and are participating in a Family Violence plan.
- Are experiencing homelessness.
- Receive Social Security Disability Insurance.
- Have a child under 2 years of age in the home and qualify for an Infant, Toddler or Postpartum WorkFirst exemption.
- Received TANF during a month on or after March 1, 2020, when the Washington State Employment Security Department's unemployment rate was at 7% or above.
Note: Families may get time limit extensions when the Washington State Employment Security Department's most recently published unemployment rate is 7% or above.
Click here for additional information on time limit extensions.
If I am receiving TANF, can I get additional help like gas or clothing vouchers?
Yes. If you’re actively participating in the WorkFirst program, you may be able to get such additional help as gas, educational expenses or clothing vouchers.
You may also be eligible for a program called Additional Requirements for Emergent Needs. If you’re in an emergency situation and need help paying for rent or utilities, we may be able to help you pay this. You must provide proof of your emergent need. To get more information about how to receive AREN funds, go into your local office or call our contact center at 877-501-2233.
All households with a qualifying child under age 3, receiving at least a $10 TANF/SFA grant are eligible to receive the Diaper Related Payment (DRP). DRP is an additional cash payment for diapers and basic needs essential for early development.
Are there any other cash assistance programs that could help me?
If you don’t need a monthly cash grant and only need help for a single month, you may be eligible for the Diversion Cash Assistance or DCA program. To qualify for this program, you must:
- Meet eligibility for TANF,
- Not be receiving a TANF grant,
- And show you have a way to support yourself for ongoing months.
If these requirements are met, DSHS may be able to pay up to $1,250 for things like rent, utilities, clothing and transportation. If you start to receive TANF within 12 months of receiving Diversion Cash Assistance, you may be required to pay back a portion of this assistance.
How do I apply for TANF or DCA?
1. Submit an application:
- In person at your local Community Services Office.
- Online at washingtonconnection.org.
- By fax at 888-338-7410.
- By mail at DSHS, P.O. Box 11699, Tacoma, WA 98411.
- By phone at 877-501-2233
2. Complete an interview in person or by phone at 877-501-2233 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday – Friday.
3. If you meet financial eligibility, you will be referred to a worker to discuss WorkFirst participation.
For additional information regarding any of the programs DSHS offers, please call 877-501-2233 or visit your local Community Services Office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays.