TANF Income Limits by State
What is the TANF income limit, and how does each state set its own number?
Updated September 2026
Quick Answer
There's no single national TANF income limit — each state sets its own number, using different methods (a flat dollar standard, a percentage of the federal poverty level, or a CPI-indexed "standard of need"), so the same dollar figure means different things in different states. See the state-by-state table on this page for each state's current income limit and maximum monthly benefit for a household of three.
Why isn't there one national TANF income limit?
Because TANF is a state-run block grant program, not a federal entitlement with one nationwide formula, each state decides its own income limit — the maximum amount of monthly income a household can have and still qualify — and most set that limit well below the federal poverty line. Treat any generic number claiming to be "the" TANF income limit with suspicion; the only reliable figure is the one your own state currently publishes.
How do states actually set their income limit?
States use noticeably different methods to arrive at their number. Some set a flat dollar "needs standard" that can go years without an update — several states' benefit levels have barely moved since the 1990s. Others tie the number to a percentage of the current-year federal poverty level; Montana, for example, switched in 2023 to basing its benefit on 35 percent of the current federal poverty level, replacing an older standard that was still calculated off 2011 poverty guidelines. A few states instead index their "standard of need" to the Consumer Price Index and adjust it on a fixed schedule — Nebraska recalculates its standard of need this way every two years. The practical effect is that the same dollar figure can represent a very different real standard of living depending on which method your state uses and when it last updated it.
What counts as income toward the limit?
Beyond the headline limit itself, each state also decides what counts as income in the first place — most exclude some types of income entirely and apply "earnings disregards" that ignore a portion of a parent's paycheck once they start working, specifically so that going to work doesn't immediately disqualify the household. States also set their own asset (resource) limits covering savings, a vehicle, and other property a household can hold and still qualify. Because these rules interact with the income limit itself, two states with an identical published income limit can still have very different real-world eligibility — the only way to know for certain is to check your state TANF agency's current guidelines or submit an application.
How have TANF benefit levels changed over time?
Research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found the median state TANF benefit was $549 a month in July 2023 — down 21 percent from 1996 after adjusting for inflation, even after 21 states and D.C. raised their benefit levels between July 2022 and July 2023. In other words, most states' benefit levels haven't kept pace with the cost of living since TANF replaced AFDC in 1996, which is part of why the gap between the lowest- and highest-benefit states has grown so wide over time.
TANF income limits and maximum benefits by state
The table below shows each state's own published income limit and maximum monthly cash benefit for a household of three — the household size most states use as their standard published example. Figures are each state's own current standard and change periodically, so confirm the exact amount with your state TANF agency before applying.
| State | Income Limit (Family of 3) | Max Monthly Benefit (Family of 3) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $344/month net income for a family of three | $344/month for a family of three |
| Alaska | $3,975/month countable income for a family of three | $923/month for a family of three |
| Arizona | $2,221/month countable income for a family of three | $347/month for a family of three (with rent or mortgage costs) |
| Arkansas | $223/month net income for a family of three | $204/month for a family of three |
| California | — | $1,175/month for a family of three, or $1,314 with an SSI-exempt household member |
| Colorado | $421/month "need standard" for a single parent with two children | up to $620/month for a family of three |
| Connecticut | ~$1,222/month (55% of the federal poverty level) for a family of three | up to $915/month for a family of three without a housing subsidy, or ~$841/month with one |
| Delaware | $338/month net income for a family of three | — |
| District of Columbia | $963/month for a family of three | $803/month for a family of three |
| Florida | Gross income under 185% of the federal poverty level | $303/month for a family of three |
| Georgia | $784/month gross income for a family of three | $280/month for a family of three |
| Hawaii | $2,941/month gross income for a family of three | $985/month for the first two months, then $788/month, for a family of three |
| Idaho | $389/month for a family of three | $389/month for a family of three |
| Illinois | $753/month countable income for a family of three | $753/month for a family of three |
| Indiana | $513/month net income standard for a family of three | $513/month for a family of three |
| Iowa | About $1,571/month gross income for a family of three | $426/month for a family of three |
| Kansas | — | $386-$429/month for a family of three, depending on county |
| Kentucky | — | $341/month for a family of three |
| Louisiana | $484/month for a family of three | $484/month for a family of three |
| Maine | — | — |
| Maryland | $2,798/month gross for a family of three | $753/month for a family of three |
| Massachusetts | $861/month for a family of three ($901 with a documented rent expense) | $861/month for a family of three |
| Michigan | $814/month for a family of three (initial eligibility test) | $492/month for a family of three |
| Minnesota | $1,573/month for a family of three (Family Wage Level test) | $778/month for a family of three (MFIP cash portion) |
| Mississippi | $1,074/month gross for a family of three | $260/month for a family of three |
| Missouri | $1,565/month gross for a family of three | $292/month for a family of three |
| Montana | $622/month gross for a family of three | $725/month for a family of three |
| Nebraska | — | $552/month for a family of three (NCCP 50-state comparison, 2024) |
| Nevada | $2,960/month for a family of three (130% of poverty) | $386/month for a family of three |
| New Hampshire | $1,332/month for a family of three (FANF payment standard) | $1,332/month for a family of three (FANF payment standard) |
| New Jersey | $839/month for a family of three | $559/month for a family of three |
| New Mexico | $1,829/month for a family of three | $550/month for a family of three |
| New York | — | $836/month for a family of three (NCCP 50-state comparison, 2024; actual grants vary by county) |
| North Carolina | — | $272/month for a family of three (before income is subtracted) |
| North Dakota | — | $872/month for a family of three (NCCP 50-state comparison, 2024) |
| Ohio | $1,111/month for a family of three | $640/month for a family of three |
| Oklahoma | $1,193/month gross income for a family of three | $292/month for a family of three |
| Oregon | — | $506/month for a family of three with no other income |
| Pennsylvania | — | ~$403/month average for a family of three (DHS-reported average, not a stated maximum) |
| Rhode Island | — | $865/month for a family of three (reduced if the household receives subsidized housing) |
| South Carolina | — | $308/month for a household with two children (closest comparable size) |
| South Dakota | — | $672/month for a family of three living alone (or $486/month in a shared living arrangement) |
| Tennessee | $2,866/month gross income for a family of three | $387/month for a family of three |
| Texas | $751/month budgetary needs standard for a family of three | $382/month for a family of three |
| Utah | $1,050/month gross income for a household of three | $662/month for a household of three |
| Vermont | — | $811/month (net income must fall under this combined-test amount) |
| Virginia | $966-$1,175/month gross (varies by locality group) | $482-$587/month |
| Washington | $1,912/month gross | $706/month |
| West Virginia | $991/month countable income (Standard of Need) | $542/month |
| Wisconsin | $2,618/month gross (115% of FPL) | $653/month (Community Service Job placement) |
| Wyoming | — | $781/month (POWER Work Program, no other income) |
Alabama
- Income Limit
- $344/month net income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $344/month for a family of three
Alaska
- Income Limit
- $3,975/month countable income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $923/month for a family of three
Arizona
- Income Limit
- $2,221/month countable income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $347/month for a family of three (with rent or mortgage costs)
Arkansas
- Income Limit
- $223/month net income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $204/month for a family of three
California
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $1,175/month for a family of three, or $1,314 with an SSI-exempt household member
Colorado
- Income Limit
- $421/month "need standard" for a single parent with two children
- Max Benefit
- up to $620/month for a family of three
Connecticut
- Income Limit
- ~$1,222/month (55% of the federal poverty level) for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- up to $915/month for a family of three without a housing subsidy, or ~$841/month with one
Delaware
- Income Limit
- $338/month net income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- —
District of Columbia
- Income Limit
- $963/month for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $803/month for a family of three
Florida
- Income Limit
- Gross income under 185% of the federal poverty level
- Max Benefit
- $303/month for a family of three
Georgia
- Income Limit
- $784/month gross income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $280/month for a family of three
Hawaii
- Income Limit
- $2,941/month gross income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $985/month for the first two months, then $788/month, for a family of three
Idaho
- Income Limit
- $389/month for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $389/month for a family of three
Illinois
- Income Limit
- $753/month countable income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $753/month for a family of three
Indiana
- Income Limit
- $513/month net income standard for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $513/month for a family of three
Iowa
- Income Limit
- About $1,571/month gross income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $426/month for a family of three
Kansas
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $386-$429/month for a family of three, depending on county
Kentucky
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $341/month for a family of three
Louisiana
- Income Limit
- $484/month for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $484/month for a family of three
Maine
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- —
Maryland
- Income Limit
- $2,798/month gross for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $753/month for a family of three
Massachusetts
- Income Limit
- $861/month for a family of three ($901 with a documented rent expense)
- Max Benefit
- $861/month for a family of three
Michigan
- Income Limit
- $814/month for a family of three (initial eligibility test)
- Max Benefit
- $492/month for a family of three
Minnesota
- Income Limit
- $1,573/month for a family of three (Family Wage Level test)
- Max Benefit
- $778/month for a family of three (MFIP cash portion)
Mississippi
- Income Limit
- $1,074/month gross for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $260/month for a family of three
Missouri
- Income Limit
- $1,565/month gross for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $292/month for a family of three
Montana
- Income Limit
- $622/month gross for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $725/month for a family of three
Nebraska
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $552/month for a family of three (NCCP 50-state comparison, 2024)
Nevada
- Income Limit
- $2,960/month for a family of three (130% of poverty)
- Max Benefit
- $386/month for a family of three
New Hampshire
- Income Limit
- $1,332/month for a family of three (FANF payment standard)
- Max Benefit
- $1,332/month for a family of three (FANF payment standard)
New Jersey
- Income Limit
- $839/month for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $559/month for a family of three
New Mexico
- Income Limit
- $1,829/month for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $550/month for a family of three
New York
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $836/month for a family of three (NCCP 50-state comparison, 2024; actual grants vary by county)
North Carolina
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $272/month for a family of three (before income is subtracted)
North Dakota
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $872/month for a family of three (NCCP 50-state comparison, 2024)
Ohio
- Income Limit
- $1,111/month for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $640/month for a family of three
Oklahoma
- Income Limit
- $1,193/month gross income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $292/month for a family of three
Oregon
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $506/month for a family of three with no other income
Pennsylvania
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- ~$403/month average for a family of three (DHS-reported average, not a stated maximum)
Rhode Island
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $865/month for a family of three (reduced if the household receives subsidized housing)
South Carolina
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $308/month for a household with two children (closest comparable size)
South Dakota
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $672/month for a family of three living alone (or $486/month in a shared living arrangement)
Tennessee
- Income Limit
- $2,866/month gross income for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $387/month for a family of three
Texas
- Income Limit
- $751/month budgetary needs standard for a family of three
- Max Benefit
- $382/month for a family of three
Utah
- Income Limit
- $1,050/month gross income for a household of three
- Max Benefit
- $662/month for a household of three
Vermont
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $811/month (net income must fall under this combined-test amount)
Virginia
- Income Limit
- $966-$1,175/month gross (varies by locality group)
- Max Benefit
- $482-$587/month
Washington
- Income Limit
- $1,912/month gross
- Max Benefit
- $706/month
West Virginia
- Income Limit
- $991/month countable income (Standard of Need)
- Max Benefit
- $542/month
Wisconsin
- Income Limit
- $2,618/month gross (115% of FPL)
- Max Benefit
- $653/month (Community Service Job placement)
Wyoming
- Income Limit
- —
- Max Benefit
- $781/month (POWER Work Program, no other income)
Figures are each state's own published standard for a three-person household and change periodically — confirm the current amount with your state TANF agency before applying.