While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides financial assistance to low-income families. The goal of TANF is to help families become financially self-sufficient. States and U.S. Territories receive block grants from the federal government, which are used to fund each state and territory’s specific TANF program.
Learn more about the TANF program and its primary purposes here.
In Alabama, the TANF program is known as Family Assistance (FA) in Alabama. To learn more about FA and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Alabama Family Assistance website here.
Family Assistance in Alabama provides temporary assistance to financially support families in need. The FA program also provides eligible families with work preparation services to help them re-enter the workforce or find more stable employment.
For more information on the services the FA program provides to participating families, review the Alabama Family Assistance PDF found here.
Family Assistance and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Alabama Department of Human Resources. While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Family Assistance benefits are money that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions.
To learn more about the restrictions on FA expenditures, review the Alabama Family Assistance PDF found here.
Both Family Assistance and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, Family Assistance benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM. Food Assistance benefits cannot.
Most Family Assistance participants also qualify for Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
To apply for Food Assistance and/or Family Assistance, visit the One Alabama benefit portal here.
If you have questions about Family Assistance or Food Assistance, call the Department of Human Resources at (334) 242-1310.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources. Families can receive these benefits for up to five years throughout their lifetime.
Eligible households can receive a maximum of:
Learn more information about Family Assistance and benefit amounts in Alabama here.
To qualify for Family Assistance in Alabama, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements and work and job training requirements here.
Non-parent adult caretaker relatives are excluded from the Family Assistance program.
Before you apply for FA in Alabama, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the Family Assistance eligibility requirements here.
Review the Application for Assistance here to find out what information and documents you will need to apply for Family Assistance in Alabama.
To apply for Family Assistance online, create an account on the One Alabama benefit portal here and fill out the virtual application form.
To apply for Family Assistance in person, click here to find the nearest Alabama Department of Human Resources office location and contact information.
To apply for Family Assistance by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the nearest Alabama Department of Human Resources office location here.
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the Alabama Family Assistance Divisions at (334) 242-1773 or (334) 242-1950. You can also email the FA Division at dhr_fad@dhr.alabama.gov.
If you need application assistance in Spanish, click here for the application and an overview of the application process.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
After you applied for Family Assistance online, in person or by mail, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Resources within 30 days of receiving the application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits.
If you're approved, you will also receive your Family Assistance EBT card by mail within 30 days of when the Department of Human Resources received your application. Once you receive your benefits, you can use them to support your family as you see fit, while following the restrictions.
Note that if you receive an EBT card, you will only be allowed to purchase items at stores that display the Quest Logo, and you can only withdraw cash from ATMs that display the Quest Logo.
Learn more information about how to use your EBT card and how benefits will be distributed here.
If you require additional assistance or have questions about your determination, call the Alabama Family Assistance Division at (334) 242-1773 or (334) 242-1950. You can also email the FA Division at dhr_fad@dhr.alabama.gov.
If you do not agree with the Family Assistance benefit decision given to you by the Alabama Department of Human Resources, you can appeal your decision in writing in person or by mail within 60 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department of Human Resources office. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest location here.
To file a claim by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail.
For help with obtaining Family Assistance in Alabama, or for any further questions about your application, call Alabama Family Assistance Divisions at (334) 242-1773 or (334) 242-1950. You can also email the FA Division at dhr_fad@dhr.alabama.gov or send mail to:
Alabama Department of Human ResourcesFamily Assistance Division50 North Ripley StreetMontgomery, Alabama 36130
You can also visit or call a local Department of Human Resources Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
To contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources, call (334) 242-1310.
To send the Alabama Department of Human Resources information physically, you can fax your documents or questions to (334) 353-1115 or mail them to the following address:
Alabama Department of Human ResourcesFamily Assistance Division
50 North Ripley Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36130
Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free TANF Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.