Apply For Texas TANF Benefits

Learn how to apply for Texas TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called Texas 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 Texas Department of Health and 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 TX 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 Texas TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for TX TANF benefits, view the information below. If you still have questions or issues, then contact TANF Texas.

Texas TANF for families

The Texas TANF program offers monthly cash payments for needy families to help pay for:

• Food
• Furniture
• Clothing
• Utilities
• Laundry
• Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid
• Transportation
• Phone
• Supplies for the home
• Housing
• Other basic needs

Texas TANF eligibility

Families with children age 18 and younger. Families who can get this help have little to no money or don’t have a way to get money. A family can be:

• Parents and their children, or
• Relatives caring for related children

To see if a family can get TANF, we must look at:

• The amount of money the family has
• The value of things the family is paying for or owns
• The amount the family pays for child care and child support

TANF maximum monthly income limits

The following chart gives a general idea of the amount of income a person or family can get and still be in this program. Some people might be able to get benefits even if their income is higher than what is listed in this chart.

If you are a grandparent or an adult caring for a related child, then the child you care for might be able to get TANF even if your income is higher than what is listed in this chart.

Maximum monthly income limits

If a child's parent or relative gets TANF, the parent or relative must agree to:

• Train for a job or look for work
• Follow child support rules
• Not quit a job
• Not abuse alcohol or drugs
• Take parenting skills classes
• Get vaccines for their child
• Make sure their child is going to school

If you get TANF Texas, they will tell you how you can get help following program rules.

Maximum monthly TANF amount

Texas one-time TANF benefits

The Texas One-Time TANF program provides money to families in crisis so they can pay for:

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing
• Utilities
• Furniture
• Transportation
• Phone
• Laundry
• Supplies for the home
• Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid
• Other basic needs

This help can be given to a family only once a year.

Texas on-time TANF eligibility

Texas TANF for one-time is for families in crisis who:

• Have children age 18 and younger
• Don't have a lot of money or have a way to get more money
• Crises include losing a job, losing a home, or a medical emergency

Texas one-time TANF for grandparents

The Texas one-time TANF benefits for grandparents is a payment of $1,000 to a grandparent. This help can be given to a grandparent only one time, no matter how many grandchildren live in their home or if another grandchild moves in.

• Food
• Clothing
• Housing
• Utilities
• Furniture
• Transportation
• Phone
• Laundry
• Supplies for the home
• Medical supplies not paid for by Medicaid
• Other basic needs

To be eligible for these TANF benefits, a grandparent needs to be:

• Someone who cares for a child who gets TANF
• Is age 45 or older
• Doesn't have a lot of money or have a way to get more money

Maximum monthly income limits

The following chart gives a general idea of the amount of money (income) a grandparent can get and still be in this program. A grandparent might be able to get benefits even if their income is higher than what is listed in this chart.

If a grandparent isn't able to get this type of TANF, the child they care for still might be able to get TANF for families.

Apply for Texas TANF

You can apply for the Texas TANF program by going to yourtexasbenefits.com. Of if you prefer you can download a copy of the TANF application, fill it out and either mail it in, fax it in, or turn it in-person at your local benefits office. If you want to mail it, send it to the following address:

HHSC
PO Box 149024,
Austin, TX 78714-9968

Or if you want to fax it in, please fax it to 877-447-2839. If your form is 2-sided, fax both sides. If you rather send it in-person, then find a Texas benefits office near you.

Documents needed to apply for Texas TANF

Bringing or sending copies of items that apply to anyone on your case might help us review it faster.

Identity (proof of who you are)
Current driver's license or Department of Public Safety ID card. If a person has the right to act for you (as your authorized representative), that person also needs to give proof of identity.

Immigration status
Resident card, arrival/departure form. Or papers from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. They need copies of the front and back of these forms.

Legal representative
Power of attorney papers, guardianship order, court order, or similar court documents.

Veterans benefits, workers' compensation, or unemployment
Award letter or pay stubs.

Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or pension benefits
Award letter or pay stubs.

Military service
Current Military ID, military orders, or separation papers.

Loans and gifts
Loan agreements or statement from the person giving you money or paying your bills. Must show that person's name, address, phone number, and signature.

Residence
Utility bill, driver's license, Texas Department of Public Safety ID, rent receipt, letter from landlord (can't be a relative).

Proof of income from your job
Last 3 pay stubs or paychecks, a statement from your employer, or self-employment records.

Bank accounts
Most current statement for all accounts.

Proof a child is related to you
Legal birth, hospital, or baptismal certificate.

Citizenship
US passport, Certificate of Naturalization, US birth certificate (copies of the front and back), hospital record of birth, or Medicare card. If you were born in Texas, they might be able to look up your birth record.

Child's vaccines
Vaccine records for each child.

Proof a child lives with you
A signed statement from your landlord or a non-relative neighbor that includes his or her name, address, and phone number.

Child support anyone pays
Court papers that show what you must pay for child support. For example: divorce decree, court order, or district clerk record.

Child support anyone gets
District clerk record. Or letter from the parent who pays showing how much, how often and the date it is usually paid. The letter must have the name, address, phone number, and signature of the parent who pays.

Health insurance
Copy of the front and back of the insurance card or policy.

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 TX TANF office.