Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: Cash Help and Requirements

Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, often called TANF, is a state program providing financial aid to very low-income families with children. This cash assistance is a temporary safety net, helping with essential costs like housing and food while parents work towards financial independence.

Administered by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), TANF offers more than just a monthly payment. It connects families to other support, including Medicaid and child care assistance, to promote stability and self-sufficiency. The program requires participants to engage in work or training activities to receive benefits.

What Texas TANF Provides for Families

The TANF program in Texas delivers immediate financial relief and connects families to broader support systems. The assistance addresses both ongoing needs and unexpected crises through several types of aid.

Cash Help for Basic Needs

The main purpose of TANF is to provide direct cash payments to eligible families. These funds help households meet fundamental needs and maintain stability during financial hardship.

The assistance can be used for essential expenses, including:

• Housing costs, such as rent or mortgage payments.
• Utility bills, including electricity, water, and gas.
• Food and groceries.
• Clothing and school supplies for children.
• Transportation costs.
• Home supplies and laundry expenses.
• Medical supplies not covered by Medicaid.

The amount of cash help a family receives is calculated based on family size, household composition, and any countable income.

Types of Financial Assistance Available

Texas offers three distinct forms of TANF cash assistance, each designed for a different situation.

Monthly Cash Payments

This is the most common form of TANF, providing ongoing monthly payments to families meeting the strict eligibility criteria. Payments are loaded onto a Lone Star Card, which works like a debit card, or sent via direct deposit.

The maximum monthly benefit varies by family size and type. For example:

• A single-parent family of three may receive up to $370 per month.
• A "child-only" case with three children may receive up to $255 per month.
• A two-parent family of three may receive up to $405 per month.
• A single-parent family of four may receive up to $445 per month.
• A two-parent family of four may receive up to $455 per month.

These amounts are the maximum possible grants; actual payments may be lower.

One-Time TANF for a Crisis

Families facing a sudden crisis who are not receiving monthly TANF may qualify for a one-time payment of $1,000. This aid helps a family overcome a short-term emergency and avoid ongoing welfare. A family can only receive this payment once in a 12-month period.

To qualify, a family must meet the same income and resource limits as monthly TANF and face a crisis such as:

• Loss of a job.
• Loss of a home.
• Loss of financial support from another source.
• A medical emergency preventing a parent from working.
• Loss of transportation needed for work.

One-Time TANF for Relatives

Texas offers a special, once-in-a-lifetime payment of $1,000 to certain relatives caring for children who receive TANF. This payment is a single grant per caregiver, regardless of how many children they care for.

Eligible relatives include grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, and brothers. The relative must be 25 or older, be the primary caregiver, and meet specific income limits that are higher than those for the regular TANF program.

Automatic Medicaid Eligibility

A significant benefit of qualifying for TANF is automatic eligibility for Texas Medicaid. This gives the entire family access to comprehensive health care, including doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. For some families, securing health insurance is the primary need, and TANF provides a direct path to that coverage.

Who Qualifies for TANF Cash Help

Eligibility for Texas TANF is determined by strict requirements covering residency, citizenship, family structure, income, and assets. The program is designed for families facing extreme poverty.

Core Eligibility Rules

All applicants must meet foundational criteria before financial tests are considered. To be eligible for TANF, you must:

• Be a resident of Texas.
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, legal alien, or permanent resident.
• Be pregnant or responsible for a child under 19.

A child who is 18 can be included if they are a full-time high school student expected to graduate before their 19th birthday. A TANF "family" can be parents and their children or relatives who are the primary caregivers.

Strict Income Limits

Applicants should know that Texas has some of the most stringent TANF income limits in the nation. The program is reserved for those with little to no monthly income. As a result, only about 4% of Texas families below the federal poverty line receive TANF cash support.

The monthly income limits, known as the "Recognizable Need" standard, vary by family size. For example, the countable income limits are:

• Family of 2 (1 parent): $163
• Family of 3 (1 parent): $188
• Family of 4 (1 parent): $226
• Family of 3 (2 parents): $206
• Family of 4 (2 parents): $231

These extremely low thresholds have seen minimal adjustment since the 1990s, making TANF difficult for many families to access.

Resource and Asset Limits

In addition to income, families must meet a resource test. A household’s countable resources cannot exceed $1,000. HHSC evaluates the value of things the family owns.

However, not all assets are counted. The state exempts certain resources.

• Countable Resources: These are liquid assets like cash and money in bank accounts.
• Exempt Resources: These assets are not counted and do not affect eligibility. They include:
  • The home the family lives in.
  • Most personal belongings and household goods.
  • One vehicle per household, with a fair market value up to $4,650 being exempt.

How to Apply for Texas TANF

The application process is centralized and can be started through several methods. The state uses a single application, Form H1010, for TANF, SNAP food benefits, and Medicaid to streamline the process.

Application Methods

Families have four main ways to apply for TANF benefits:

• Online: The fastest method is applying at YourTexasBenefits.com. An account lets you save your application, check its status, and upload documents.
• By Phone: You can call 2-1-1 to speak with an operator for help with the application.
• In Person: Visit a local HHSC benefits office to get a paper application and submit it.
• By Mail or Fax: Download and print Form H1010 from the Your Texas Benefits website. It can be mailed or faxed to HHSC.

Documents You Will Need

Having documents ready can speed up the process. While HHSC tries to verify information electronically, you may need to provide copies of the following:

• Proof of Identity: Driver’s license or state-issued ID.
• Proof of Texas Residency: A utility bill or lease agreement.
• Proof of Citizenship or Immigration Status: U.S. birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents.
• Proof of Income: Recent pay stubs or a letter from an employer.
• Proof of Resources: The most recent bank statements.
• Child-Related Documents: Each child's birth certificate and immunization records.
• Proof of Expenses: Receipts for child care or court orders for child support.

It is best to send copies of your documents and keep the originals.

The Application Interview

After submitting your application, you must complete an interview with an HHSC eligibility worker. This requirement was reinstated as of June 1, 2024.

The interview is typically conducted over the phone from the number 737-867-7700. The worker will review your application, ask clarifying questions, and explain your rights and responsibilities. If HHSC cannot reach you, they will mail a notice with instructions to complete the interview.

Your Responsibilities When Receiving TANF

Receiving TANF benefits comes with mandatory responsibilities focused on personal responsibility and achieving self-sufficiency.

The Personal Responsibility Agreement (PRA)

Every adult applicant must sign a Personal Responsibility Agreement (PRA), Form H1073. This is a contract with the state outlining your obligations. Refusing to sign will result in the denial of your application.

By signing the PRA, you agree to several requirements, including:

• Cooperate with Child Support: Work with the Texas Office of the Attorney General (OAG) to establish paternity and enforce child support orders.
• Ensure Child Well-being: Make sure your children attend school and get required immunizations and medical checkups.
• Maintain Work Ethic: Do not voluntarily quit a job of 30 or more hours per week without a good reason.
• Refrain from Substance Abuse: Do not use, sell, or possess illegal drugs or abuse alcohol.
• Participate in Required Programs: Attend parenting skills classes if requested and participate in the Choices work program.

The "Choices" Work Program

The Choices program is the mandatory employment and training part of TANF in Texas. It is run by the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) through local Workforce Solutions offices. The program's goal is to help TANF recipients find jobs quickly.

Most adults receiving TANF must participate in Choices activities for a set number of hours each week. The requirements are:

• Single-parent families: A minimum of 30 hours per week.
• Two-parent families: A combined total of 35 or 55 hours per week, depending on child care assistance.

These hours can be met through approved activities, which include:

• Unsubsidized employment (a regular job).
• On-the-job training.
• Job search and job readiness assistance.
• Vocational educational training.
• Community service.
• Providing child care to another person in community service.

Consequences for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with the PRA or Choices work requirements without a "good cause" reason leads to penalties, known as sanctions.

If you fail to cooperate, your family's TANF cash assistance will be stopped for at least one month or until you comply. If non-compliance continues for a second month, your case will be closed. Failing to meet work or child support rules can also lead to the loss of your adult Medicaid and SNAP food benefits.

Support for Working Parents: Child Care Assistance

The state helps with child care costs, a major barrier to employment for low-income parents. This support is crucial for the success of the Choices program.

Child Care Services (CCS)

TANF recipients in the Choices program are eligible for scholarships through the Child Care Services (CCS) program. Managed by the TWC, this program helps pay for some or all of a family's child care costs, allowing parents to work or attend training.

Parents can access this help through their local Workforce Solutions office. They can choose from various child care options, including licensed centers, registered homes, or an eligible relative provider. Families usually pay a portion of the cost based on their income and family size.

Time Limits and Hardship Exemptions

TANF is temporary, with strict time limits on how long an adult can receive cash aid. However, exemptions and extensions exist for individuals facing circumstances that make it impossible to work.

State and Federal Time Limits

Under federal law, a family with an adult who has received benefits for 60 months (five years) is no longer eligible for federally funded cash assistance. Texas also has its own state time limits of 12, 24, or 36 months, based on an adult's education and work history.

Once an adult reaches their state time limit, they are ineligible for five years. These limits generally apply only to adults; benefits can often continue for eligible children in a "child-only" case.

Good Cause and Hardship Exemptions

Texas law allows for exemptions from work requirements and extensions of benefits for individuals facing significant hardships. A "good cause" reason can excuse temporary non-compliance, while a hardship exemption can allow a family to receive "Extended TANF" beyond the 60-month federal limit.

Valid reasons for an exemption or extension include:

• Personal Disability: A medically documented physical or mental disability that prevents work.
• Caring for a Disabled Family Member: The individual is needed at home to provide full-time care for a family member with a disability.
• Family Violence: A "Good Cause" waiver is available for individuals who fear that cooperating with child support could result in harm. This is a vital safety protection.
• Local Economic Hardship: An exemption may be granted if the recipient lives in a county with an unemployment rate over 10%.
• Other Circumstances: Situations like a lack of transportation or caring for a child under four months old may provide temporary good cause.

These exemptions are not automatic and must be documented and approved by HHSC. For more information or to apply for benefits, visit the official state portal at https://www.yourtexasbenefits.com or call 2-1-1.

Frequently Asked Questions