About Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is designed to help families with children experiencing low-income achieve economic security and stability. States receive block grants to design and operate programs that accomplish one of the purposes of the TANF program. While TANF jurisdictions must meet certain work participation and cost sharing requirements, they have considerable flexibility with TANF funds to implement programs that best serve their distinct communities.
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.
Training and Technical Assistance
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 serve and support economic security and stability 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.