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.
To learn more about Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in Illinois and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Illinois TANF website here.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in Illinois provides temporary assistance to financially support families in need. The TANF 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 TANF program provides to participating families, review the Illinois TANF PDF found here.
TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, TANF benefits are money that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions.
To learn more about the restrictions on TANF expenditures, visit the TANF website here.
Both TANF and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card. However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM. Food Assistance benefits cannot.
Many TANF participants also qualify for Needy Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
To apply for Needy Food Assistance and/or TANF, visit the Illinois ABE benefit portal here.
If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, call the Department of Human Services at (800) 843-6154.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources.
Eligible families of three can receive a maximum of $520 per month. Families can receive these benefits for up to 60 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about TANF and benefit amounts in Illinois here.
To qualify for TANF in Illinois, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements and work and training requirements here.
Caretakers of children who cannot be taken care of by their immediate family may also qualify for benefits under the Caretaker Relative Grant or Child-Only TANF Grant. This grant takes into consideration the situation of emergency caregivers and will only count the resources and the income of the child (if any) and not those of the caretaker.
To learn more about who can receive TANF benefits, click here.
Before you apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in Illinois, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the TANF eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Illinois Department of Human Services website here.
To apply for TANF online, create an account on the Illinois ABE benefit portal here and fill out the virtual application form.
To apply for TANF in person, click here to find the nearest Illinois DHS office location.
To apply for TANF by mail or fax, fill out the Request for Cash Assistance here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the nearest Illinois DHS office location.
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the Illinois Department of Human Services at (800) 843-6154.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
No matter how you applied, you will need to complete an interview with a caseworker. You should receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services within 30 days with your determination. If you are approved for benefits, you should also receive your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits.
If you have a valid bank account listed on your application, your TANF benefits will be deposited into that account routinely. Otherwise, you will receive an EBT card in the mail.
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 (800) 843-6154.
If you do not agree with the TANF benefit decision given to you by the Illinois Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision online, in writing or by phone within 60 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal online, click here.
To file an appeal in writing, complete the Appeal Request Form here or write a letter that includes the following information:
You can submit the appeal request:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Hearings69 W. Washington, 4th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60602
To file an appeal by phone, call (877) 734-7429.
For more information on the appeal process, check out the Illinois Department of Human Services website here.
For help with obtaining Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in Illinois, or for any further questions about your application, call the Illinois Department of Human Services at (800) 843-6154.
To send the Illinois Department of Human Services questions or information physically, you can mail your documents or questions to the following address:
Illinois Department of Human Services
Bureau of Customer and Support Services
100 South Grand Avenue East, 2nd Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62762
You can also visit or call a local DHS Office for Needy Further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
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.