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What is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF program?
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a program offered to people who require assistance on a temporary basis, usually due to extreme situations such as job loss or eviction. The goal is to provide assistance during the first few months after the emergency and to help them cope with new sources of income. In this article we will talk more about this topic.
In recent times, many people have experienced financial crises in the United States, but currently the situation has been increased by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has generated a contraction in the world economy, lowering productivity levels in some sectors and increasing unemployment rates. The health emergency has had serious repercussions on the income of some households, as well as on health and quality of life.
In the United States, needy, low-income and vulnerable families have economic and social assistance from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, which allows them to receive emergency assistance. The program is offered by the Federal Administrative Services Agency (ABA), it has been designed to help people who require temporary assistance and who have generally gone through extreme situations such as job loss or eviction.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program offers assistance during the first months after the emergency and assistance in finding a new job. The program is offered by the federal government through the Department of Humanitarian Affairs (HA) and is designed to help people who require temporary emergency assistance.
What is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF program?
It is a public assistance program, administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) that provides temporary assistance of money and services, with the objective of helping low-income families who need to receive assistance while they recover economically.
The TANF Program grants allocations to states to provide the necessary assistance to families that require it, so the names and requirements of TANF vary depending on the location in which the applicant is located. Each state administers the resources assigned to it, as well as having the power to design its own eligibility rules and the type of aid that is available.
What are the requirements for temporary assistance?
Requirements vary from state to state, so check directly with the Temporary Assistance program in the state where you are located. In general, the people who are selected by the program have one of these criteria:
- Belonging to family groups with incomes below the minimum.
- Families made up of at least one parent who is in charge of a child or pregnant woman in her third trimester.
- They have arrears in payments for basic services and bank obligations.
- They do not have a stable job and have a low level of education.
- They need help supporting their children.
- Need for nutritional assistance.
People who need temporary assistance must meet the following conditions: be citizens or permanent residents of the United States, have an income equal to or less than the federal poverty level, and have an extremely vulnerable situation due to the emergency.
The causes of ineligibility to be TANF beneficiaries are: conviction for crimes, flight to another state to avoid punishment, violation of probation, being a worker on strike or an illegal immigrant, having committed fraud on public assistance or legally assisted assistance , as well as being a repeat offender of violation of criminal laws.
What is the name of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF program?
To find out the name of the assistance program in the state where you reside, you can consult the page of the United States Department of Health and Human Services at: https://aspe.hhs.gov/
What are the benefits of the program?
If you qualify for TANF, you can get help paying for basic services like electricity, water, as well as assistance to support your children. You may be able to get emergency help with food and nutrition assistance to buy healthy items for your family.
You may receive assistance with paying taxes as well as help finding a job (for example, assistance with CV preparation). Likewise, educational services are offered such as assistance for school readiness.
How much is the financial contribution provided by TANF?
The economic contribution varies according to the economic situation that the family is presenting and the specific needs of each one, as well as the criteria stipulated by each state.
How long can TANF be received?
You will be able to obtain the benefit of the program for a limit period of 60 months (5 years), after that time has expired, you will no longer be able to reapply to join the temporary program for needy families.
There are certain exceptions to the time limit, this depends on whether the applicant is disabled or has a medical condition. If you are in an intensive program that prevents you from working 30 hours per week (includes homeless services, mental health, substance abuse, sexual or domestic violence, and vocational rehabilitation programs), then the specific time for temporary assistance will be determined by a social assistance expert.
What happens after the application has been approved?
After your application is approved, you will receive a monthly money, which can be delivered electronically by card, by bank deposit or check, as well as you can receive a medical card that will give you participation in the Medical Assistance Program from the Department of Health Care and Family Services.
In the event your TANF application is denied, you may request an administrative hearing within 90 days from the date it was denied at your local DHHS office to discuss the decision.
At the Legal Doctor we have qualified professionals who will be able to provide you with the necessary advice and support so that you can resolve your situation and regain your peace of mind as soon as possible. If you are going through a difficult situation, feel free to contact us at (909)319-7103 / 1 (800) 559-7170, visit us at 228 West C Street Ontario CA 91762 or by clicking here.
