TANF


What is TANF?

TANF is a program that provides temporary financial assistance to eligible families with children.  The family receives a monthly cash payment to meet its basic needs.  To be eligible, a family must be financially needy and must meet certain other requirements such as those listed below.  An eligible child must be:

  • Under age 18, or if 18, will graduate from high school before age 19;
  • Going to school regularly if he is between the ages of 5 and 18;
  • Living with a parent, or other relative; and
  • A citizen of the U.S. or an eligible immigrant.

A child will not be eligible if born to or adopted by a TANF recipient more than 10 months after an applicant begins receiving TANF.  The Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) will send all support collected for this child directly to the family.  This support will not count as income in the TANF program.

How Much Assistance Can a Family Receive?

The amount of the TANF check is based on the size of the family.  A family may still be eligible to receive TANF while receiving money from other benefits.

Families in the VIEW program may receive earned income plus a TANF check.  However, the total income cannot be more than the federal poverty level for their family size.

What is Required of the Applicant?

Most TANF applicants must register in a program that will help them find a job.  (Please see the Employment Services page.)

The applicant must provide proof of the Social Security Number of everyone included in the assistance request or apply for a Social Security Number for anyone who does not have one.

Applicants and recipients must see that their children who receive TANF have received the immunizations required by Virginia law.  There is a $50 penalty for one child who does not have up-to-date immunizations and a $25 penalty per child for additional children.  This penalty will be deducted from the TANF check each month until the immunizations are received.

Equal Access for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities, who apply for or receive TANF, have the opportunity to benefit from TANF programs at the same level as individuals without disabilities.  TANF policy ensures that all individuals working with TANF applicants and recipients are aware of an individual's disabilities and modifications needed to allow the individual to have meaningful access to TANF programs and services.

How Do You Apply?

To apply you can obtain an application from the Prince George County Social Services Department or apply online at https://commonhelp.virginia.gov.

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