Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Current as of:

About Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides states and territories with flexibility in operating programs designed to help low-income families with children achieve economic self-sufficiency.  States use TANF to fund monthly cash assistance payments to low-income families with children, as well as a wide range of services.

TANF Programs by State

Contact information for state TANF programs.

Data and Reports

The Office of Family Assistance collects and analyzes data on TANF caseloads, expenditures, work participation rates, recipient characteristics, and more. Also find the TANF Reports to Congress and links to the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation’s welfare research projects.

Laws and Regulations

Current statutes and regulations governing TANF and the statutory development and history of the TANF program.

Policy Guidance

Recent TANF policy guidance documents, including Program Instructions, Information Memoranda, Policy Announcements, Questions and Answers, and additional resources.

Technical Assistance and Training

The Office of Family Assistance provides Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) to state, tribal, and local TANF programs. Through TTA, OFA helps TANF agencies strengthen their programs so they can better and promote the self-sufficiency of TANF participants and TANF-eligible individuals.

Reporting Instructions

Instructions for state and territory TANF grantees related to forms (ACF-196R, ACF-199, ACF-209, ACF-204, ACF-202, SF-424), the work verification plan, and more.