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Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)


The Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, formerly Aid to Families with Children (ADFC), is a support service for Texas families. The purpose of TANF is to provide financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children and the parents or relatives with whom they are living. Eligible TANF households receive monthly cash and Medicaid benefits. TANF uses state funds to provide cash assistance to families with two parents who both receive benefits with children deprived of parental support because of the unemployment or underemployment of a parent.

The Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, formerly Aid to Families with Children (ADFC), is a support service for Texas families. The purpose of TANF is to provide financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children and the parents or relatives with whom they are living. Eligible TANF households receive monthly cash and Medicaid benefits. TANF uses state funds to provide cash assistance to families with two parents who both receive benefits with children deprived of parental support because of the unemployment or underemployment of a parent.


To be eligible for Texas Family Assistance, you must be a resident of Texas, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following:

  • Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or
  • Be pregnant, or
  • Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.


To apply for this program, please contact the local administering agency near you. You can find your local agency on the Texas Workforce Commission website.


To learn more about Texas Works, please visit Texas Workforce Commission website.

Or you can call the Texas Department of Human Service (DHS) toll-free at:


1-877-541-7905

Or send an e-mail to:
mail@dhs.state.tx.us

1-877-541-7905