During difficult financial times, people usually consider borrowing from others when they’ve depleted their own resources. Individuals and families may choose to borrow from friends, family members, or even private lenders such as banks. However, besides the fact that they’d have to pay the money back, in some cases with interest, private loans have many other implications. If a family or individual fails to repay the funds they borrow, it may affect their personal relationships or their credit scores. Obviously, these implications can have long-term effects on borrowers. That’s why it’s a good idea to seek help from the government during times of financial hardship! If eligible, people can benefit from financial support through the government that may be able to provide relief to their situation.
For families impacted by a disability, achieving financial stability often involves piecing together support from multiple sources. While many are aware of dedicated disability programs like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), another critical program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), is often overlooked. It can provide a vital lifeline, especially when navigating the complexities of caregiving and managing a personal health condition.
TANF is a federally funded, state-administered program designed to help low-income families with children achieve self-sufficiency. Because states have significant flexibility, the rules can vary widely, but many provisions are highly relevant for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. This guide offers a deeper dive into how TANF works, focusing specifically on what it means for the disability community and how you can make it work for you.
That’s what makes federal assistance programs such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) so great. As you can probably understand from the name, the government uses this program to help families going through financial hardships. Let’s go through a rundown of the program. In case you’re interested in applying, it’s important to know all the basics.
How Does TANF Work?
With TANF in place, the government focuses on family stability and self-sufficiency. But, what does that actually mean? Well, TANF focuses on helping low-income families with children financially. The goal is to help them enough that they’d be able to eventually rely on themselves for financial survival. There’s actually a specific list of goals the government aims to achieve through TANF:
- The federal government hopes children will grow up in their own homes, or, at least in their relatives’ homes.
- TANF should decrease families’ reliance on government assistance. The aim is to promote job preparation, work, and marriage.
- Cutting down on out-of-wedlock pregnancies
- The development and stability of two-parent families
Essentially, the government provides funding (around $16.5 billion) to state governments. That means that whatever money the government gives through TANF is not the federal government’s direct responsibility. Instead, state governments run the program, control the extent of benefits provided, and also may choose to modify the qualifications required for eligibility.
Detailed Eligibility Requirements: A Closer Look for the Disability Community
Qualifying for TANF involves a close look at your family’s unique situation. A disability is a key factor that can significantly influence your application, from income calculations to who is included in the assistance unit.
Disability Status and Its Intersection with Other Benefits
This is the most critical factor for our community. A parent’s or child’s disability directly impacts eligibility and, most importantly, work requirements.
- The SSI/SSDI and TANF Relationship: A core rule is that an individual cannot receive both TANF cash assistance and SSI/SSDI simultaneously. However, this rule is not a barrier for the family as a whole. A parent who receives SSI or SSDI for their own disability can often receive TANF benefits for their dependent children. This is known as a “child-only” grant.
- Hypothetical Example: Imagine a single mother who receives $900 a month from SSDI. While she is not eligible for TANF for herself, her two children may be. In a “child-only” case, the state would likely disregard her SSDI income entirely and issue a TANF grant based on the needs of the two children, providing hundreds of dollars in additional monthly support.
- Proof of Disability: States require official documentation of a disability. This can typically be satisfied with an award letter from the Social Security Administration, a statement from a licensed physician detailing your condition and limitations, or records from a state agency like a vocational rehabilitation office.
- Interaction with Other Aid: TANF eligibility often intersects with other forms of assistance. If you’re approved for TANF, you may be automatically eligible for SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid, simplifying the application process for these essential programs.
Financial Criteria: Assets and Income
- Income Rules: When calculating your family’s income, states look at both earned wages and unearned income. As mentioned, SSI and SSDI for a parent are often not counted in “child-only” cases. It’s also worth noting that other benefits like SNAP or WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) are not considered income.
- Asset Limits: Most states limit the value of assets you can own, such as money in a bank account (often around $2,000 to $3,000). However, assets that are crucial for families with disabilities are frequently exempt. This usually includes the family home, one primary vehicle, and, importantly, funds held in an ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) account, which is designed for disability-related expenses.
Let’s Talk About How You And Your Family Can Qualify For TANF
Alright, so, when it comes to qualifying for TANF the government focuses on 2 things: helping low-income families with children and making sure parents are actively working. When it comes to the “low income” part, the government is pretty straightforward. They’re looking for the following:
- A family’s financial status must be seen as low-income
- In the majority of cases, your family needs to include at least one child/dependant under the age of 18
Now, for the job part, there’s a bit more to say. So, the federal government grants TANF funds to each state to help promote jobs and job skills. That means families applying for TANF must be working or taking steps towards getting well-paid jobs. That’s why the federal governments have certain standards for states to satisfy to earn their TANF funding. However, work requirements can come with exceptions (but it will vary depending on the state).
The Appeals Process
If your TANF application is denied, especially if the denial is related to an assessment of your disability, you have the right to appeal. The denial letter must explain why you were found ineligible and detail the steps to file an appeal. During this process, you can submit additional medical evidence and may be able to get help from local legal aid societies or disability advocacy groups.
More Than a Check: Comprehensive TANF Benefits and Services
TANF’s real value often lies beyond the monthly cash payment. It offers a suite of supportive services designed to promote family stability, which can be particularly transformative for families managing the extra costs and stress associated with a disability.
Direct Financial Assistance
- Monthly Cash Assistance: This core benefit provides a stipend to help with basic needs. The amount is based on family size, income, and state-specific calculations.
- Diversion Assistance and One-Time Grants: To prevent a small crisis from spiraling, many states offer one-time payments known as “diversion assistance.” This can help a family that is otherwise stable but facing a short-term emergency.
Examples include: - Paying a security deposit or the first month’s rent to secure stable housing.
- Covering the cost of an essential car repair needed to get to medical appointments.
- Replacing a broken, necessary appliance like a refrigerator.
- Paying a past-due utility bill to avoid shutoff.
Work-Related and Supportive Services
- Tailored Vocational Training: These programs can be adapted to help individuals with disabilities find suitable, long-term employment. This could mean training for remote work, learning to use assistive technology, or entering a field that accommodates physical limitations.
- Robust Childcare Support: TANF can provide subsidies for childcare, often with provisions for providers who have training for children with special needs or who offer non-traditional hours to accommodate varying work schedules or appointments.
- Transportation Assistance: Recognizing that getting around can be a major barrier, TANF often provides bus passes, gas vouchers, or even stipends for minor vehicle maintenance.
Understanding Work Requirements, Exemptions, and Accommodations
The work requirement is a central feature of TANF, but it is not a rigid, one-size-fits-all mandate. The system has built-in flexibility, exemptions, and accommodations specifically for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.
Crucial Exemptions from Work Requirements
You may be fully exempt from the work requirements if:
- You have a documented disability that prevents you from maintaining employment. The medical documentation should clearly explain your diagnosis, prognosis, and the specific functional limitations that impact your ability to work.
- You are the primary caregiver for a disabled family member (either a child or an adult). The program recognizes that providing full-time care is a significant undertaking that can preclude other employment.
Your Family Self-Sufficiency Plan
If you are not exempt, you will typically work with a caseworker to create a Family Self-Sufficiency Plan or similar personalized employment plan. This is a collaborative process where you can and should advocate for your needs. The plan will outline your goals and the specific activities you will engage in. This is your opportunity to ensure the plan is realistic and accounts for your (or your family member’s) disability, including the need for a flexible schedule or specific accommodations.
Qualifying Work Activities and Partial Accommodations
For those who can work but have limitations, activities can be adjusted.
- Partial Work: If a disability prevents you from working full-time, your required hours may be reduced.
- Flexible Activities: “Community service” could mean volunteering for a disability advocacy group. “Vocational education” could be an online course taken from home. The goal is to find a productive activity that aligns with your abilities.
State-by-State Differences and How to Apply
It cannot be stressed enough: TANF is not one single program. It is 50+ different programs administered by states and territories. What applies in one state may not apply in another.
Finding Your Local Program
Your first step is to find your state’s specific TANF program. The federal Office of Family Assistance provides a Help for Families page with links to each state’s agency. This website is the best source for official rules and contact information.
The Application Process
While it varies, the process generally follows these steps:
- Gather Documents: You will need birth certificates, Social Security cards for everyone in the household, proof of income and assets, housing information (like a lease), and medical documentation for any disabilities.
- Submit an Application: This can often be done online, by mail, or in person at your local social services office.
- Attend an Interview: You will meet with a caseworker to review your application and discuss your circumstances. This is the key moment to discuss your disability, present your documentation, and ask about exemptions or accommodations.
How States Earn Their TANF Funding
There is a significant standard that states must meet to earn their TANF funding. That standard is called Work Participation Rates (WPR). WPR is broken down into 2 different statistics. The first statistic is the all-family rate. Basically, states receiving TANF funds need to have 50% of families receiving TANF benefits to be working for at least 30 hours a week. There’s an exception for single parents with children under the age of 6. They only need to work 20 hours a week.
The second statistic is the two-parent family rate. Families run by 2 parents should at least 35 hours a week. State governments need to make sure 90% of two-parent families meet that requirement. To get a clearer understanding of what the government sees as eligible jobs, you should probably check out the 12 categories of work set by the government.
Bottom Line
When you find yourself in need of some additional support, you should consider checking out Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) in your state. This opportunity can help families through cash assistance, employment support, and more. Each state will have their own version of TANF. If you are interested in applying you will want to get in touch with your state TANf office for more information!
