Apply For North Dakota TANF Benefits
Learn how to apply for North Dakota TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called North Dakota 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 ND 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 North Dakota TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for ND TANF benefits, view the information below. If you still have questions or issues, then contact TANF North Dakota.
North Dakota TANF eligibility
To find out if you are eligible for the North Dakota TANF program, try their online pre-screening tool. Please note, this is only a screening tool and not an application. To determine if you are eligible for financial assistance programs in North Dakota, you must complete the application process.
Apply for North Dakota TANF
You can apply for ND TANF benefits either online or in-person. To apply for TANF online, go to nd.gov. The completed application will be directed to the appropriate county social service office. To apply in-person, first download a copy of the application and submit the completed form to your county social service office. To find a location, view a list of social service offices near you.
When you receive your TANF benefits
If you qualify for North Dakota TANF, you will get your benefits no later than 30 days from the date your local county social service office receives your signed application. After your application is approved, your benefits will be available on the 1st working day of each month.
How you receive your TANF benefits
You will receive an Electronic Payment Card (EPC) in the mail. The EPC is a prepaid card issued by ReliaCard, a US bank. Benefits are deposited into your ReliaCard account, much like a bank account. You can use your TANF ReliaCard to make purchases at places that VISA debit cards are accepted such as:
- Grocery Stores
- Gas Stations
- Restaurants
- Department and Discount Stores
- Online Stores or Sites
- To pay bills for doctors, dentists, utility companies etc
Please note, federal law prohibits the use of the TANF ReliaCard at:
- Liquor Stores
- Casinos, gambling casinos or gaming establishments
- Any retail establishment which provides adult-orientated entertainment in which performers disrobe or perform in an un-clothed state for entertainment
North Dakota TANF time limit
You may receive TANF up to 60 months. There are some exceptions for families to go beyond 60 months. You may contact your local county social service office about these exceptions.
Do I get child support while I receive TANF?If you receive child support in North Dakota, then while on TNAF all child support that is due while your family is receiving TANF is assigned to the State of North Dakota. The state will keep assigned child support up to the amount of TANF benefits your family received.
If you receive a child support payment from any source other than North Dakota Child Support Enforcement (such as directly from the absent parent or from another state's child support enforcement agency), you must immediately give the payment to Child Support Enforcement. Failure to do so is fraud and prosecution through the state's attorney's office will be pursued.
Do I get child support when I stop receiving TANF?After you stop receiving TANF, the State of North Dakota will not keep any child support payments, unless the payment received is for a month in which you received TANF. Child support received for a month in which you did not receive TANF will be sent to you.
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 ND TANF office.