The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides grant funds to States and Territories to assist families in any manner that is reasonably calculated to accomplish the purposes of this program. The purposes are: assisting needy families to care for their children in their own homes; reducing dependency of needy parents by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage; preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and encouraging the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age. Also the applicant must be an U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident; have low or very low income; and be under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.

Each State and Territory decides the benefits it will provide. Each State and Territory also establishes the specific eligibility criteria that must be met to receive financial assistance payments or other types of benefits and services. Thus, you must check with the TANF agency in the area that you reside to learn whether you are eligible to receive financial assistance or other TANF benefits and services.