California TANF Program

Learn about TANF California. The official name for the state TANF program is California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids (CalWORKS). The department that handles Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is the Health and Human Services Agency. If you have questions about CA TANF, please use the contact information below.

What is TANF benefits?

The goal of the TANF program is to provide benefits to families in need with both financial assistance and work opportunities, assisting the family to become self-sufficient. The California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to the neediest of children and their families in California.

With monthly cash payments, CA TANF can help families pay for items like food, housing, furniture, utilities, clothing, phone, transportation, laundry, supplies for the home and some medical supplies that are not paid for by Medicaid. To find out more information about TANF California, use the contact information listed below.

Who can get TANF

If you are looking to apply for the California TANF program, then you will need to meet certain requirements. To qualify for TANF you will need to have low income, be either a US citizen, have a green card, or be an American Indian born outside the US. You also will need to be either pregnant with no other children in the house, or have children under the age of 18 with the parents still living together.

Or the children are living with relatives or other custodial adult, or an 18-year-old child who has not graduated high school and who is a full-time student at a secondary, vocational or technical training school or a disabled person between the ages of 19 and 21 who is participating in a full-time secondary school program. You will also need to live in the state of CA. To view the full application process, see how to apply for TANF in California.

California Tribal TANF

Below is a list of tribal offices that handle TANF benefits in their area.

CTTP/Robinson Rancheria
PO Box 988 Nice, 95464
Phone: 707-262-4402


Graton Rancheria
6400 Redwood Drive Suite 104 Rohnert Park, 94928
Phone: 707-586-6100
Hoopa Valley
PO Box 1348 Hoopa, 95546
Phone: 530-625-4816
Karuk Tribe
PO Box 1016 ,
Phone: 530-493-1600
Morongo Band
PO Box 1268 Banning, 92220
Phone: 951-755-5178
North Fork Rancheria
PO Box 929 North Fork, 93643
Phone: 559-877-2027
Owens Valley Career Development Center
PO Box 1467 Bishop, 93515
Phone: 760-873-5107
Pechanga
510 16th Street 302 Oakland, 94612
Phone: 510-835-3020
Round Valley Indian Tribes
PO Box 448 Covelo, 95428
Phone: 707-983-6126
Scotts Valley
1465 Enea Circle Suite 700 Concord, 94520
Phone: 925-771-8207
Shingle Springs Rancheria
5281 Honpie Road Placerville, 95667
Phone: 530-698-1433
Soboba Band
1405 Spruce Street Suite A Riverside, 92507
Phone: 951-300-1682
Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association
PO Box 1470 Valley Center, 92082
Phone: 760-742-8600
Torres Martinez
PO Box 1160 Thermal, 92274
Phone: 760-397-8147
Yurok Tribe
PO Box 1027 Klamath, 95548
Phone: 707-482-1350

  • TANF Office Location

    California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids
    1600 9th Street Suite 460
    Sacramento, CA 95814

  • TANF Phone Number

    The phone number for the California TANF office is 916-657-2128 or 916-654-3454.

  • TANF Website

    To view the California TANF website, click here.

Map of California TANF Office