TANF in Kansas, also known as The Successful Families Program, offers support services to very low-income families. This support not only includes cash assistance but employment services and training programs as well. In order to understand, “What is TANF?” it is important to review the benefits that this program can provide needy families as well as how long cash assistance benefits can be received, the amounts that may be granted to a family and what the eligibility requirements are for this Kansas assistance program.

By learning more about the TANF application process, you will know what to expect on the application as well as the documentation that must be provided to your local Department for Children and Families office and information regarding your eligibility interview. Not only will TANF benefits be determined by the documentation and information that you provide, but also whether or not you and your family are eligible to receive assistance from The Successful Families Program.

Who qualifies for TANF in Kansas?

Before you apply for TANF in Kansas, you should review who is eligible for TANF and the requirements that have been set by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. To meet Kansas TANF eligibility requirements, your family must have at least one minor child living within the home who is younger than 18 years of age. Families without children are not eligible to receive assistance from The Successful Families Program. Other Kansas TANF qualifications include:

• Citizenship or legal presence. In order to qualify for TANF, each member of your family must either be a United States citizen or a lawful resident within the U.S.
• Kansas residency. To apply for benefits in Kansas, you must be living within the state. You also cannot be receiving assistance from another state’s TANF program.
• Income requirements. The Successful Families Program is designed to provide assistance to the neediest of families who are well below the poverty line.
• Limited resource requirements, which is the amount of resources that you and your family have at your disposal. However, some resources are not counted, including the home in which the family lives within, assets valued under a certain amount, furniture, personal items and some tools.

Once you begin receiving TANF benefits, it is important to know that you must continue to meet these eligibility requirements as well as cooperate with your local office regarding any work or job training they may require you to complete.

Generally, unless an adult is exempt, they will be required to participate in these work-related activities in order to receive TANF assistance, unless they need to care for a child under two months of age or a disabled household member.

How to Apply for TANF in Kansas

You can submit a Kansas TANF application both online and in person at your local DCF office. Generally, a TANF online application is considered a more convenient way to apply, but if you do choose to apply online, then it is important to know that you will still be required to provide your local office with the documentation that is necessary to complete the processing of your application. When you apply for TANF in Kansas, you will also be given the opportunity to apply for other assistance programs, such as food stamps or medical assistance.

A TANF application must be supported by various documents, including, but not limited to:

• Proof of income for all family members.
• Proof of identity for all family members.
• Proof of household expenses.

Once your TANF application has been submitted, your local DCF will assign a caseworker to your family. This caseworker will review your family’s eligibility for TANF and provide you with the answers to any additional questions that you may have about the Successful Families Program. If additional documentation is required, then your caseworker will notify you. It is very important that you cooperate fully with your caseworker, as failing to cooperate or provide any requested documentation could delay your benefits or result in a denial of eligibility for TANF.

Learn more about applying for TANF benefits by downloading our free guide.

How much cash assistance will I get in Kansas?

If you are wondering, “How much money do you get from TANF in Kansas?” then it is important to know that benefit amounts are determined on a case-by-case basis. Your family’s maximum potential benefit amount will be based upon family size, but your caseworker will also consider the location that your family lives within. For example, families living in rural counties and high population counties will generally receive more assistance, as the cost of living is higher in these counties.

TANF benefits do not generally need to be repaid. However, any overpayment of benefits must be repaid. An overpayment of benefits can occur if you falsify information on your original application or if you fail to report a change to your household that may affect your benefits. In rare cases, system errors can also cause an overpayment, but this overpayment amount would still need to be repaid.

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

If you apply for TANF, then you will likely wonder when you can expect to begin receiving benefits from the Successful Families Program if your family is deemed eligible. TANF applications can take time to process, but much of the processing time depends on how quickly you can provide your local office with documentation and information that the office requests. Therefore, by cooperating with the office, you can expedite your application process and, thus, receive your benefits sooner if found eligible.

Once you begin receiving TANF in Kansas, you can expect to receive benefits on the same day of each month. Your benefits will be deposited onto an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card, which will be provided to you once your eligibility for the program has been determined. This card can be used like a debit card. However, you are not permitted to use it for restricted items such as alcohol, tobacco, adult items or in gambling establishments. It is important to know what you can purchase with TANF benefits  beforehand.

How long can you receive TANF in Kansas?

You can receive TANF in Kansas for a maximum of 24 months within your lifetime. TANF beneficiary months do not need to be consecutive and once you have received 24 months of benefits, you will no longer be eligible to receive further assistance within your lifetime. However, this lifetime limit only applies to adults and does not apply to children who are younger than 18 years of age.

How can I check my TANF status in Kansas?

After submitting a TANF application in Kansas, a caseworker will be assigned to your family. Your caseworker is your primary point of contact, as that person can answer any questions related to your application or the TANF program as well as update you on the status of your application. If you are not able to reach your caseworker over the phone, then you may also contact your local DCF office in order to review the status of your application.

To discover more details about the TANF program, download our detailed guide.