Illinois TANF Program

Learn about TANF Illinois. The official name for the state TANF program is Illinois Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. The department that handles Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is the Department of Human Services. If you have questions about IL 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 Illinois Temporary Assistance for Needy Families provides temporary cash benefits and supportive services to the neediest of children and their families in Illinois.

With monthly cash payments, IL 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 Illinois, use the contact information listed below.

Who can get TANF

If you are looking to apply for the Illinois 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 IL. To view the full application process, see how to apply for TANF in Illinois.