How to Apply for TANF in Arkansas
Arkansas's TANF cash assistance program is called Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA), and it's bundled with SNAP and Medicaid into a single online application at Access.Arkansas.gov rather than a standalone portal. TEA pairs a monthly cash payment with required work activities, and DHS case managers use the first interview to review the application and figure out which support services — job readiness, transportation, childcare — a family needs. Applications can also be filed on paper, by mail, or in person at a county DHS office if you'd rather not use the online system.
This site is an independent, non-government TANF directory and isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by any state or federal government agency. Always verify details directly with the official agency before visiting or applying.
Quick Answer
In Arkansas, you apply for TANF through Arkansas Department of Human Services, online or by phone. Arkansas's TEA Policy Manual requires DHS to approve or deny a TEA application no later than 30 calendar days from the date it was received.
What You'll Need
- Social Security numbers for all family members
- Birth certificate or other proof of your child's relationship and date of birth
- Proof of income for the household
- Information about an absent parent, if applicable, for child support referral
- Access Arkansas account (for online application and document upload)
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Apply online, by mail, phone, or in person
Create an account and submit a single application covering TEA, SNAP, and Medicaid at Access.Arkansas.gov, or apply by mail, phone, or in person at your local county DHS office.
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2
Or file the paper TEA application
Download and complete the TEA Application (Form DCO-0004), available in English, Spanish, and Marshallese from humanservices.arkansas.gov, and submit it to your county DHS office.
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Submit verification documents
Provide a birth certificate or other proof of your child's relationship and date of birth, Social Security numbers for all family members, and proof of income. Documents can be uploaded through your Access Arkansas account or dropped off/mailed to your county office.
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Complete the eligibility interview
A DHS case manager reviews your application answers with you and asks about your family circumstances during the first interview to determine your services and eligibility.
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Track your case and receive benefits
Check application status, read DHS notices, and set up text or email alerts through your Access Arkansas account. Approved families receive a monthly cash payment along with TEA support services such as job readiness, transportation, and childcare assistance.
Submit Your Application
Need help before your application is processed?
Arkansas's TEA Policy Manual requires DHS to approve or deny a TEA application no later than 30 calendar days from the date it was received. If your family needs money sooner, most states offer a faster, one-time emergency payment.
See emergency & one-time assistance →Compare Other States
TANF rules, income limits, and benefit amounts are set state by state. These share Arkansas's census region — useful if you're moving, or comparing how another state runs the same program.
Helpful Guides
TANF Eligibility & Frequently Asked Questions
Income limits, time limits, and work requirements, answered in plain language.
Learn more →How Much Does TANF Pay? Benefit Amounts Explained
How your payment is calculated, a real worked example, and how the amount scales by family size.
Learn more →TANF Income Limits by State
See each state's own income limit and maximum monthly benefit, side by side.
Learn more →How to Use Your TANF EBT Card
How to withdraw cash, avoid ATM fees, and what to do if your card is lost or stolen.
Learn more →TANF Work Requirements Explained
Hours, activities, exemptions, and how strictly states actually enforce this.
Learn more →What Is TANF?
What the program covers, who runs it, and how it varies by state.
Learn more →TANF Kinship Care & Relative Caregiver Benefits
Child-only TANF grants for grandparents and relatives raising a child — and how they differ from a regular case.
Learn more →TANF vs. SNAP: Is TANF the Same as Food Stamps?
How the two programs differ, and whether you can get both.
Learn more →