Apply For Idaho TANF Benefits

Learn how to apply for Idaho TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI), 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 Health and Welfare. 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 ID 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 Idaho TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for ID TANF benefits, view the information below. If you still have questions or issues, then contact TANF Idaho.

The TAFI program helps Idaho families make financial ends meet. Eligible families can access their money through two different methods. You can have the money directly deposited into your bank account, or access it from a debit-like card you can use at an ATM, or wherever EBT (Electronic benefit transfer) is accepted.

Who can receive Idaho TANF benefits

For families, you can receive TAFI cash assistance on a monthly basis to help make ends meet. The maximum benefit for assistance is $309 with a lifetime limit of 24 payments. In order to receive this monthly benefit, you must meet the income and resource limits for your family size, and will be required to participate in their Work and Training Program.

If you have a special need for Cash Assistance to help sustain or gain employment or overcome a crisis, there may be other types of assistance available to you. They can help determine if your situation may qualify your family to receive a Diversion payment, which is a one-time TAFI payment to help families with unique circumstances.

For caretakers, you can receive TAFI assistance in the form of a Caretaker Relative Grant if you are responsible for a relative child's care. Once the Department has established relationship status, individuals can receive the Relative Grant to help offset the cost of caring for the child.

The relative child's income and resources cannot go over the income and resource limits, but the adult relative's income and resources may not count towards eligibility.

While you receive Idaho Cash Assistance, you may be required to participate in their Work and Training Program. Participating in the program provides access to tools you may need to obtain employment, resources for furthering your education, or other supports to help you meet your financial goals.

Idaho TANF eligibility

In order to receive Idaho TANF benefits, certain eligibility requirements must be met in areas such as income, resources, child support cooperation, and work preparation requirements. The eligibility requirements are listed below:

You must be a citizen or legal immigrant.
You must be a resident of the State of Idaho
Your household income must be less than the program income limits for your household size
Your resources must not exceed the program resource limits

Their staff can assist you by finding out if you meet the eligibility requirements for Idaho cash assistance.

Maximum Monthly Income Limits

Household size	Income Limit
1	$309
2	$309
3	$389
4	$469
5	$547
6	$628
7	$708
8	$787
Each Add.	+$80
Some income may be excluded based on your household circumstances

Documents needed when applying for TANF

Below is a list of documents you will need to bring with you when applying for Idaho TANF benefits at your local welfare office:

Information	Examples of documents
Your immigration status (if not a US citizen)	Copy of your Resident Alien Card (front and back) Copy of a residency document issued by the Department of Homeland Security
Income	Copy of paycheck stubs for the most recent 30 days Work Verification form signed by your employer Copy of your most recent tax forms, if self-employed (include all schedule forms) Completed Self-Employment Verification form Copy of statements or documents for income not earned from employment (veterans benefits, out of state unemployment, retirement income, workers compensation) Statement or printout from Child Support agency Signed statement from the person receiving child support payments
Resources	Copy of bank statements for the most recent 30 days Printouts from your bank (should include your name, account number, and balance) Copy of statements or other documents that prove the amount you owe on any vehicles Printouts or statements that show current value of stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, trust accounts, etc.
Child Support Expenses	Copy of paycheck stubs that show child support payments withheld Copy of court documents showing the amount you are legally required to pay Signed statement from the person receiving the child support payments Copy of a statement showing the past 3 months income from the Child Support agency, if not paid through Idaho
Child Care Expenses	Dependent Care Charges form completed by the child care provider Statement from your child care provider

Applying for Idaho TANF

There are 3 ways you can apply for the Idaho TANF program. Those options are listed below:

Applying in-person

You can apply at a Division of Welfare, Self Reliance Programs office location. To find one, search for an Idaho TANF office near you. At the office you'll have an opportunity to talk with someone about your household situation and your needs so that you can make an informed choice about any services you want to receive. To download a copy of the Idaho TANF application, click here.

If you choose to go to your local office, be sure to go prepared with documentation that we use to verify your income, expenses, resources, etc. Taking these documents with you will speed up the time it takes us to process your application for assistance.

When you come to a local field office to apply for TANF Idaho, expect the following:

They will complete an interview with you
They will verify your situation and information by using any information you bring or contacting appropriate parties on your behalf
They will give you a list of things to mail them, if they need more information about your situation
They will provide you with a notice telling you what benefits you qualify for, how much of a benefit you qualify for, and when to expect your benefits, if they have everything to finish processing your application

Applying by mail

You will need to download a copy of the Idaho TANF application and print it out. Send copies of these documents along with your completed application form to the following address:

Self Reliance Programs
PO Box 83720
Boise, ID 83720-0026

If you apply by mail, then expect the following:

They will mail you an interview appointment letter if one is needed
They will complete an interview with you over the phone
They will verify your situation and information by using any information you send, contacting appropriate parties on your behalf, or giving you a list of things to mail back to them
They will mail you a notice telling you what benefits you qualify for, how much of a benefit you qualify for, and when to expect your benefits

Applying by fax

If you plan to fax in your TANF application form, then download a copy of the form and fax copies of these documents along with your completed form to 866-434-8278. Expect the same as if you were mailing in your application.

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 ID TANF office.