Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

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The TANF program provides eligible families with a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs. For a child to be eligible he must be:

Under age 18, or if 18, will graduate from high school before age 19
Going to school regularly if he is between the ages of five and 18
Living with a parent or other relative
A U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant

The Code of Virginia, §63.2, requires that the TANF program be administered in accordance with federal and state statutes and regulations and policies established by the State Board of Social Services.

Virginia's TANF program emphasize personal responsibility. Participants may be provided with services such as job skills training, work experience, job readiness training, child care assistance, transportation and other work related expenses.

A child will not be eligible if born to or adopted by a TANF recipient more than 10 months after an applicant begins to receive TANF payments. The Division of Child Support Enforcement will send all support collected for this child directly to the family. This support will not count as income in the TANF program.

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Employment Advancement for TANF Participants Program

Through grants, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) funds projects under this program. The projects are designed to provide proven service approaches and strategies to help current and former TANF clients to prepare to enter, succeed, and advance in the workplace. The expected outcomes of the project are improved job placement, improved job retention, higher employment wages upon entry, and increased wage gains from job advancement.

Below is a list of current projects. If you see a program in your area and you want to participate or get further information, contact your local department of social services.

Program Projects (PDF)

Screening for Eligibility & Applying

Option 1: Screen for eligibility and/or apply online through CommonHelp
Option 2: Bypass eligibility screening and submit an application manually. Fill out an "Application for Benefits" from the forms section on this page and return it to your local department of social services.