How much can a family receive in TANF benefits?

The amount of TANF benefits you receive each month mostly depends on the size of your family. The majority of states offer single parents more money if they are taking care of four children as opposed to two.

In addition, TANF benefits amount by states vary. For example, a family of four in Wyoming that has no source of income will receive more money than a family in the same situation that lives in Georgia.

Also, states have specific standards in place when it comes to the TANF benefits amount you receive. They follow detailed guidelines that they created, to determine the amount of TANF money your family will receive. Learn about the different policies states have and the amount of cash assistance you may be able to receive.

Learn the Different Standards for Estimating Your TANF Benefits

“How much money do you get from TANF?” is one of the first questions many applicants have. It is vital to understand that there is not a national policy when it comes to determining the amount of TANF money you will collect.

Just as each state has different TANF eligibility requirements, each state also has specific guidelines pertaining to payment amounts.

This means that applicants from different states will not receive the same amount of TANF benefits. For instance, if you live in New Mexico, then you will not collect the same amount of cash assistance as someone that lives in Alaska.

Also, there are many factors that go into determining the amount of benefits you can collect, such as the size of your household, your family’s income and assets. For example, if you are an unemployed parent, then you will most likely receive more financial assistance than an employed adult that lives in your state.

Many states look at your family’s net income and subtract that number from a payment standard the state has in place. In these states, the TANF funds you receive is the difference between those two numbers.

Also, some states have a statutory maximum benefit, which varies on the size of the family. In these states, the benefit is either the income deficit or the statutory maximum. The monthly payment you will receive depends on which total is less. This amount will be determined after applying for the TANF program successfully.

What is the maximum monthly benefit amount a family can collect?

Families that receive the most TANF benefits are households with multiple children. Larger families collect a greater amount of TANF benefits because they need to purchase more essentials than families with fewer children.

The federal government does not have restrictions in place for the maximum amount of money states can provide needy families with. States have that power, as they make their own regulations.

Also, families that do not have a source of income receive the greatest amount of TANF money.

That is due to the fact that the money they collect from the government is the only source of cash income they have. However, if participants are unemployed but are receiving additional sources of income from other government programs, such as Social Security, then they will receive a reduced amount of benefits from TANF.

Furthermore, families that have special needs, such as pregnancy, physical or mental disabilities may receive more cash assistance. Families with special needs tend to spend more money, so the majority of states will provide them with the extra aid they need.

The maximum amount of TANF money a family can receive depends on the state they live in. However, in some states, there is a different maximum dollar amount that you can collect.

For example, in California the dollar amount participants can collect in region one will be different than region two. If TANF enrollees live in California or another state that has this type of standard, then they collect the maximum cash assistance for the region they live in. To learn more about the TANF program, download our comprehensive guide.

Note: There are two states that provide all TANF members the same amount of benefits, regardless of their income and amount of people in their household. Also, there is no guarantee that petitioners will collect the maximum amount of benefits the state offers.

Applicants can only receive the maximum if the state determines the family needs that type of government assistance.

Learn About Work Incentives Offered by TANF

If you are employed and receiving TANF benefits, then you are more than likely receiving less money than a recipient that has no income. However, many states have work incentives in place. These incentives reward you for finding employment while in the program.

The state you live in can disregard the earnings you collect from your job. Each state that provides incentives has a different method in determining how much of your income to disregard.

Furthermore, states may offer your family a school bonus. The bonus is another form of financial incentives if your son or daughter meets specific school attendance or achievement standards. Depending on the state, the school bonus can also apply to teen parents.

Learn more about TANF benefits and the requirements to maintain them by downloading our free guide.

How do I receive my TANF benefits?

“How do I get my TANF money?” is a question many recipients have. The following are four different methods the TANF program offers:

• Paper check
• Electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card
• Electronic payment card (EPC)
• Electronic benefit transfer (EBT)

Above are the four methods the federal government allows states to distribute the TANF money you receive each month. However, not all states provide you with those four options. For example, in Alabama, you can only receive your TANF cash through your EBT account. However, in Missouri, you can obtain a paper check, receive a transfer to your EBT account or receive a direct deposit into your checking account.