How to Apply for TANF in Texas
Texas TANF cash grants are notably small compared to most states — a single parent with one child tops out around $331 a month — but the state pairs the monthly benefit with two lesser-known one-time options: emergency "One-Time TANF" for families in crisis (available once a year) and a once-in-a-lifetime $1,000 payment for relatives such as grandparents who take in a related child. Everything runs through the Your Texas Benefits portal, the same system Texas uses for SNAP and Medicaid.
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 Texas, you apply for TANF through Health and Human Services Commission, online or by phone. Texas aims to decide TANF eligibility by the 30th day after your application is filed, per the Texas Works Handbook.
What You'll Need
- Children's ages and household composition
- Household income and resource information
- Information on child care and child support payments
- A Your Texas Benefits account (created online or via the app)
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1
Check eligibility and income limits
You must have children 18 or younger in the home and fall under the maximum monthly income limits, which vary by family size and whether the case is child-only or includes a parent or caretaker.
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2
Apply through Your Texas Benefits
Create an account and apply online at yourtexasbenefits.com, or use the Your Texas Benefits mobile app (available on Google Play and the Apple App Store) to submit and manage your application.
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3
Get help by phone or in person if needed
Call 2-1-1 (then press option 2) or 1-877-541-7905 for help with your application or an existing case, or find a local HHSC benefits office or community partner near you.
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4
Agree to program requirements
To keep receiving TANF you must train for a job or look for work, follow child support rules, not quit a job, take parenting skills classes, get required vaccines for your child, and keep your child enrolled in school.
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5
Ask about one-time help if you have an urgent crisis
Families facing a job loss, loss of housing, or medical emergency may qualify for One-Time TANF (once per year), and relatives 25 or older caring for a related child may qualify separately for a one-time $1,000 payment.
Submit Your Application
Need help before your application is processed?
Texas aims to decide TANF eligibility by the 30th day after your application is filed, per the Texas Works Handbook. 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 Texas'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 →