TANF in Florida supports work and aids families in becoming self-sufficient while providing temporary cash assistance. In order to answer the question, “What is TANF?” it is important to review the goals and benefits of the TANF program, as well as its eligibility requirements, how benefits are distributed, how long benefits can be received and how to apply for funds in the state.

Therefore, before submitting a TANF application in Florida, be sure to review the initial eligibility requirements for the program as well as work-related requirements that must be met in order to continue receiving financial assistance once you have been approved. TANF benefits amounts are affected by these eligibility factors, but regardless of eligibility, you may only receive assistance for a set period of time within the state. To learn more about Florida TANF, review the following sections.

Who qualifies for TANF in Florida?

Before you apply for TANF in Florida, it is important to learn about the program’s eligibility requirements you must meet in order to receive assistance, as well as the work-related requirements that you will need to commit to in order to continue to remain eligible for the program.

Initial TANF eligibility requirements include familial makeup, income, resources, citizenship and residency. Florida TANF assistance can only be provided to U.S. citizens or lawful residents who reside within the state. You can only meet TANF qualifications if there is a minor child living within the home, regardless of whether or not your family meets other eligibility requirements. If the child is younger than five years of age, she or he must also be current with all immunizations. Children between the ages of six and 18 must also be attending school, and parents must participate in school conferences.

A Florida TANF calculator can be found online if you are unsure of whether or not you will meet income guidelines. However, it is worth knowing that TANF assistance can only be provided to families that are far below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). In addition to income limits, there are also resource limits that dictate the amount of countable resources a family may have and still qualify for TANF.

Get details about qualifying for TANF in our in-depth guide.

To continue to meet TANF eligibility requirements in Florida, parents and caretakers meet work-related requirements. These requirements include a minimum number of hours per week that parents must participate in these activities. The number of hours each week will vary by family size and whether or not both parents are in the home. Work-related activities include but are not limited to:

• Employment.
• Job search.
• Community service.
• On-the-job training.
• Vocational education training.
• Job skills training.
• Completion of a secondary school program.

How to Apply for TANF in Florida

If you are interested in TANF in Florida, it is worth knowing that an application can be submitted online or in person at your local office. Regardless of how you submit your TANF application, you will be required to complete an eligibility interview in person at your local office. Additionally, you must submit any requested documentation. Common documentation that may be requested include but is not limited to:

• Proof of identification for all household members.
• Proof of Social Security Number of all household members.
• Proof of income of all household members.
• Proof of applicable household expenses, such as rent, mortgage, utilities and child care expenses.

How much cash assistance will I get in Florida?

If you are wondering, “Do you have to pay back TANF in Florida?” be aware that you generally do not, but there are certain circumstances in which repayment can sometimes be required. Repayments will only be required in the event that your family receives benefits it is not entitled to, such as in the case of failing to report a change to the household, receiving an overpayment or providing false information on the initial application. If you and your family only receive the benefit amount that you are eligible for, a repayment will not be required.

If asking, “How much money do you get from TANF?” it is worth knowing that the amount of benefits that your family may be eligible to receive is determined by a number of factors. TANF benefits by family size refer to the maximum amount of benefits that a family can receive, based on how many members there are in that family. Therefore, larger families can receive a greater amount of assistance.

Learn more about TANF assistance in our comprehensive guide.

How long does it take to get TANF benefits in Florida?

TANF in Florida provides invaluable financial assistance to needy families, so it important to learn about the amount of time that it may take to begin receiving benefits. Before TANF benefits can be received, your local office must first determine eligibility and the appropriate benefit amount for you and your family. This process can take a maximum of 45 days from the date that you have completed the application process and turned in all necessary documentation. For this reason, it is crucial that you cooperate fully with your local office and provide necessary documentation within a timely manner in order to expedite this process.

Once you begin to receive TANF in Florida, you will receive benefits on the same day each month, for as long as you remain eligible for assistance. As stated previously, you must meet work-related requirements in order to continue to be considered eligible for the program. TANF benefits are distributed each month through the use of an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which can be used like a debit card at authorized ATMs and cash registers.

How long can you receive TANF in Florida?

If you are receiving TANF in Florida, it is important to understand that the program will only be able to provide assistance to you and your family for a set period of time. The amount of time that you may receive benefits is limited 60 months. Of that 60 month period, only 48 months may be received consecutively, unless your family qualifies for a hardship exception.

How can I check my TANF status in Florida?

After submitting a TANF application in Florida, you may review the status of your application online or by contacting your local office in person or over the phone. This is an important step in ensuring that you do not need to provide any additional documentation as well as one in determining when you may begin to receive benefits, if found eligible.