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.
Employment Advancement for TANF Participants Program
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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
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- 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.
Guidance & Procedures
Forms
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- Appeal to State Department of Social Services (PDF)
- Applications for Benefits (PDF)
- Benefit Programs Brochure (PDF)
- Change Report (English) (PDF)
- Change Report (English) [Fillable] (DOC)
- Change Report (Spanish) (PDF)
- Change Report (Spanish) [Fillable] (DOC)
- Direct Deposit Enrollment Authorization (PDF)
- Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grant (AG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (DOC)
- Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grant (AG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (PDF)
- Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grant (AG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Spanish) (DOC)
- Renewal Application for Auxiliary Grant (AG), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Spanish) (PDF)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Application to Add New Assistance Members (PDF)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Application to Add New Assistance Members (Spanish) (PDF)
Manual
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- Index (PDF)
- Contents (PDF)
- Chapter 0100 - General Information (PDF)
- Chapter 0200 - Categorical Eligibility Requirements (PDF)
- Chapter 0300 - Need and Amount of Assistance (PDF)
- Chapter 0400 - TANF Basic Requirements Regarding Application (PDF)
- Chapter 0500 - Authorization and Payment (PDF)
- Chapter 0600 - Support from Legally Responsible Persons (PDF)
- Chapter 0700 - TANF-(UP) Unemployed Parent Program (PDF)
- Chapter 0800 - Diversionary Assistance Program (PDF)
- Chapter 0900 - The Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare Program (VIEW)-Eligibility Factors (PDF)
- Chapter 1000 - The Virginia Initiative for Employment Not Welfare Program (VIEW) - Employment Services (PDF)
- Entire Manual as one document (chapters listed singly below) (PDF)
- Transmittal #43 (10-01-2009) (PDF)
- Transmittal #44 (04-01-2010) (PDF)
- Transmittal #45 (11-01-2010) (PDF)
- Transmittal #46 (04-01-2011) (PDF)
- Transmittal #47 (07-01-2011) (PDF)
- Transmittal #48 (10-01-2011) (PDF)
- Transmittal #49 (02/01/2012) (PDF)
- Transmittal #50 (10/01/2012) (PDF)
- Transmittal #51 (04/01/2013) (PDF)
- Transmittal #52 (07/01/2013) (PDF)
- Transmittal #53 (10/01/2013) (PDF)
- Transmittal #54 (07/01/2014) (PDF)
- Transmittal #55 (10/01/2014) (PDF)
- Transmittal #56 (07/01/2015) (PDF)
- Transmittal #57 (10/01/2015) (PDF)
- Transmittal #58 (01/01/2016) (PDF)
- Transmittal #59 (07/01/2016) (PDF)
- Transmittal #64 (10/01/2017) (PDF)
Related Links
Legal Basis
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- Federal Legal Base - Social Security Act-Title IV-A
- Federal Regulations Base - 45 CFR Parts 260-265
- State Legal Base - Code of Virginia, Sections 63.2-600, 63.2-409, 63.2-614