Apply For Georgia TANF Benefits

Learn how to apply for Georgia TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, may help you become self-supportive while receiving monthly cash benefits to meet your everyday needs such as rent, utilities, clothes, transportation, or additional expenses.

Sometimes you may not be eligible to receive TANF for yourself, but a child or children in your household may. The TANF program is administered by the Department of Human Services. In most cases, in order to qualify for TANF you must meet both types of eligibility, categorical and financial.

Additionally, to qualify for TANF there are work requirements. The GA TANF program requires most adults be employed or participate in certain work-related activities, which you will be assigned for a certain number of hours on a weekly basis in order to continue receiving TANF benefits.

The total number of hours needed to fulfill your work activity requirement depends on your family composition. Qualified state residents are required to produce information including household income, age, citizenship and resources.

Only household members who are eligible for Georgia TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for GA TANF benefits, view the information below. If you still have questions or issues, then contact TANF Georgia.

Georgia TANF eligibility requirements

The following criteria must be met by the people applying for Georgia TANF benefits in order to be eligible:

Age

A child must be less than 18 years of age (19 years if s/he is a full-time student).

Application for other benefits

A TANF applicant/recipient must apply for and accept other benefits (Unemployment Compensation, Workman's Compensation, Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), Child Support, etc) for which s/he may be eligible.

Citizenship

A recipient must be a citizen of the U.S. or a lawful resident alien.

Deprivation

A child must be deprived due to:

• Continued absence from the home of at least one parent
• Physical or mental incapacity of at least one parent
• Death of a parent

In a two-parent family in which both parents are able-bodied, deprivation is established if one parent has a recent connection to the workforce.

Enumeration

All assistance unit members must have or apply for a Social Security number.

School attendance

All children ages 6 through 17 who have not graduated from high school or who have not received a certificate of high school equivalency must attend school and have satisfactory attendance.

Immunization

All preschool children must be immunized.

Income

An assistance unit's countable, net income must be below certain established limits that are adjusted for the number of persons in the AU. A family must meet the financial criteria to receive TANF. For example, a family of three must have a gross income below $784 a month and countable assets of less than $1,000.

Lifetime limits

Receipt of cash assistance is limited to 48 months in a lifetime. The limit may be extended if it is determined that an extension is justified due to certain hardships, including domestic violence and physical or mental incapacity.

Paternity

The AU must cooperate in the establishment of paternity. The paternity of a child must be established at application and whenever a child is added to an active case.

Work requirement

All adult recipients have a work requirement, and are required to participate in work activities and training for at least 30 hours weekly. These work activities help recipients gain the experience needed to find a job and become self-sufficient.

Cooperation with Office of Child Support Services is a requirement for receiving TANF benefits. Please note, a family receiving TANF for ten months might not receive increased cash assistance for the birth of additional children.

Applying for Georgia TANF

To get the application process started, you will need to contact a DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) office in the county where you live. To locate one, search for a DFCS office near you. You can also download a copy of the Georgia TANF application by clicking here.

Documents needed to apply for Georgia TANF

It is a good idea to provide the following information when applying for Georgia TANF benefits:

• Proof of identity for the applicant if applying for Food Stamps and/or TANF. Proof of identity for everyone requesting Medicaid if applying for Medicaid. Ex: An identification card (ID) or driver's license (DL)
• Proof of US citizenship/qualified immigrant status for everyone requesting benefits
• Social Security numbers of everyone requesting assistance
• Proof of income for example, pay stubs, child support payments, and income award letters
• Proof of expenses like child care receipts, medical bills, medical transportation costs, and child support payments

How long does it take to get benefits?

For TANF, it can take up to 45 days to get benefits.

How much will I get?

Your income, resources, and family size determine benefit amounts. They will be able to give you specific information once we determine your eligibility.

How will I get my benefits?

For Georgia TANF benefits, you will receive your benefits through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to access your benefits.

I was denied TANF benefits. What can I do?

State and local agencies are responsible for establishing the eligibility criteria and procedures that apply in their programs, not the Federal government. If you disagree with a decision regarding welfare benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. For more information about your state's appeals procedures, contact the GA TANF office.