2026 Cash Assistance Income Guide Does Social Security Count as Income for Cash Assistance? Social Security benefits can count as income when a family applies for cash assistance, but the answer depends on the type of Social Security payment and the rules of the state or tribal program. Retirement, survivor, and Social Security Disability Insurance…
2026 TANF Income and Eligibility Guide Does Unemployment Count as Income for TANF? Losing your job can make it harder to cover rent, groceries, and other family expenses. If you receive unemployment benefits, you may wonder whether that money will affect your TANF application or existing cash assistance. The answer depends on how your state…
TANF Benefit Amount Guide How Cash Assistance Benefits Are Calculated A cash assistance benefit calculation is not based on one national TANF formula. Your state or tribal program first decides who belongs in the assistance group, which income counts, which deductions or disregards apply, and the maximum payment allowed for that household. As a result,…
Cash Assistance Reporting Guide How to Report Income Changes for Cash Assistance If your wages, work hours, job status, or another source of income changes while you receive cash assistance, your program may require you to report it. The exact rule depends on the state or tribal program handling your case. This guide explains what…
2026 TANF Vehicle & Resource Guide Can You Own a Car and Get TANF? What Vehicle Rules Actually Mean Owning a car does not automatically stop your family from receiving TANF. What matters is how the TANF program in your state or tribal area treats vehicles, resources, ownership, equity, and exemptions. One state may exclude…
2026 TANF Case Management Guide How to Report Household Changes for TANF Did someone move into your home, leave your household, or have a new baby? Your TANF agency may need this information to keep your cash-assistance case accurate. The reporting process depends on the state or tribal program handling your benefits. This guide explains…
2026 TANF Benefits and Family Assistance Guide What Happens When TANF Benefits End? Know Your Next Steps When TANF cash assistance ends, your household may lose a regular payment that helps cover basic expenses. However, the next steps depend on why your case closed and the rules of your state or tribal program. A time…
2026 Cash Assistance Reapplication Guide Can You Reapply for Cash Assistance? What to Do After a Denial or Closed Case If your cash assistance was denied or stopped, you may have another way to request benefits. Depending on your program and case status, you might submit a new application, reopen your previous case, or challenge…
2026 TANF Case Reopening Guide How to Reopen a TANF Case After Your Benefits Stop Your TANF payment stopped, but your family may still need cash assistance. Before filling out another application, find out why your case closed. You may be able to provide missing information, request restoration, challenge the closure, or submit a new…
2026 U.S. Benefits Office Guide How to Find Your Local Welfare Office Need to visit a welfare office, apply for benefits, or speak with a caseworker? Start with your state’s official social-services directory. Then select your county, city, or ZIP code to find the office that handles your benefit. This guide explains how to locate…