How to Apply for TANF

TANF is run as a joint federal-state program, so the exact application process, required documents, and online portal are different in every state. Select your state below for step-by-step instructions on applying, what you'll need before you start, and how to reach your state's TANF agency directly.

Select Your State

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Alabama Family Assistance Division, Alabama Department of Human Resources AL Alaska Division of Public Assistance AK Arizona Department of Economic Security AZ Arkansas Division of County Operations (Arkansas Department of Human Services) AR California Department of Social Services CA Colorado Department of Human Services CO Connecticut Department of Social Services CT Delaware Division of Social Services DE District of Columbia Department of Human Services DC Florida Department of Children and Families FL Georgia Division of Family & Children Services GA Hawaii Department of Human Services HI Idaho Self Reliance Programs, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare ID Illinois Department of Human Services IL Indiana Family and Social Services Administration IN Iowa Iowa Health and Human Services (HHS) IA Kansas Department for Children and Families KS Kentucky Department for Community Based Services KY Louisiana Louisiana Department of Health LA Maine Office for Family Independence ME Maryland Department of Human Services MD Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) MA Michigan Department of Health and Human Services MI Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families MN Mississippi Mississippi Department of Human Services MS Missouri Family Support Division MO Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services MT Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) NE Nevada Division of Social Services NV New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services NH New Jersey Division of Family Development, New Jersey Department of Human Services NJ New Mexico Health Care Authority NM New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance NY North Carolina Division of Social Services (NCDHHS) NC North Dakota Health and Human Services ND Ohio Department of Job and Family Services OH Oklahoma Oklahoma Human Services OK Oregon Department of Human Services OR Pennsylvania Department of Human Services PA Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS) RI South Carolina Department of Social Services SC South Dakota Department of Social Services SD Tennessee Tennessee Department of Human Services TN Texas Health and Human Services Commission TX Utah Department of Workforce Services UT Vermont Economic Services Division (Department for Children and Families) VT Virginia Department of Social Services VA Washington Department of Social and Health Services WA West Virginia Bureau for Family Assistance, West Virginia Department of Human Services WV Wisconsin Department of Children and Families WI Wyoming Department of Family Services WY

After You Apply

Submitting your application is just the first step. Most states require an eligibility interview and will ask for follow-up documents before making a decision, so respond quickly to any request to avoid delays. Processing typically takes several weeks, so it's worth applying as soon as you think you may qualify rather than waiting. This directory is independent and not affiliated with any state TANF agency; always use the official state links provided in each guide to submit your actual application.