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.

Updated August 2026

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Verified against the official Texas TANF agency site. View source