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.

Kansas TANF FAQ Sheet

Table of Contents 

What Is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program?

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 Kansas, the TANF program is known as the Successful Families Program. To learn more about The Successful Families Program and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Kansas Successful Families Program website here.

What Services Does the Successful Families Program Provide in Kansas?

The Successful Families Program in Kansas provides temporary assistance to financially support families in need. The Successful Families 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 Successful Families Program provides to participating families, review the Kansas Successful Families Program website here.

What Is the Difference Between the Successful Families Program and Food Assistance?

The Successful Families Program and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families. While Food Assistance benefits can only be used to purchase foods that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Successful Families Program benefits are money that can be used however the participant sees fit, with some restrictions

To learn more about the restrictions on the Successful Programs expenditures, visit the Successful Programs website here.

Both the Successful Families Program and Food Assistance benefits can be given to participants on an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card.

Many Successful Families Program 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 the Successful Families Program, visit the DCF Self-Service Portal here.

If you have questions about the Successful Families Program or Food Assistance, call the Department of Children and Families at 1 (833) 765-2003.

How Much Assistance Does the Successful Families Program Provide?

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 24 months throughout their lifetime. The maximum amount families can receive depends on the type of country they reside in (rural, high-cost rural, high population or high-cost high population counties) and the size of the household. For example, while a family of one can get $224 in a rural county, in high cost high populated counties the amount for the same size of a household is $267.

Learn more information about the Successful Families Program and benefit amounts in Kansas here.

How to Qualify for the Successful Families Program in Kansas

To qualify for The Successful Families Program in Kansas, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or a legal resident
  • Be a resident of Kansas
  • Have children in your care
  • Participate in employment and employment training opportunities
  • Meet the Kansas state income requirements for your household size

Learn more about income requirements and work and training requirements here.

To learn more about who can receive the Successful Families Program benefits, click here.

How to Apply for the Successful Families Program in Kansas

Before you apply for the Successful Families Program, complete the following three steps:

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.

Learn about the Successful Families Program eligibility requirements here.

  1. Gather the documentation and information you will need for the application.
    Find a list of what you need to apply on page 28 of the program’s application here.
  2. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by fax or by mail.

To apply for the Successful Families Program online, create an account on the Kansas DCF Self-Service Portal here and fill out the virtual application form.

To apply for the Successful Families Program in person, click here to find the nearest Kansas Department for Children and Families office location.

To apply for the Successful Families Program by fax, fill out the Application for Benefits found here and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local Department for Children and Families office.

To apply for the Successful Families Program by mail, fill out the Application for Benefits and send it with copies of your necessary documents to your local Department for Children and Families office.

If you have any further questions about the application process, call 1 (888) 369-4777 or the Kansas Department of Children and Families at 1 (833) 765-2003. 

How to Check Your Application Status

Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:

  • If you applied online, you can check your application status using the Kansas DCF Self-Service Portal here.
  • If you applied in person, you can contact your local office to check the status of your application.
  • All applicants can check the status of their application by contacting the Kansas Department of Children and Families at 1 (833) 765-2003.

What Happens After You Apply for the Successful Families Program?

After you have applied for the Successful Families Program, you should receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Children and Families within 45 days of receiving your application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits, if you are approved. If you are required to participate in an eligibility interview, you will be contacted.

If you are eligible for the Successful Families Program and cash assistance, you will receive an EBT card by mail. Once you receive your benefits, you can use them to support your family as you see fit, while following the restrictions.

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 1 (833) 765-2003.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

If you do not agree with the Successful Families Program benefit decision given to you by the Kansas Department for Children and Families, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 30 days of receiving your determination letter.

To file an appeal in person, visit a local Department for Children and Families 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.

For more information on the appeal process, read the “Fair Hearing Pamphlet” provided by the Kansas Department for Children and Families here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining benefits from the Successful Families Program, or for any further questions about your application, call the Kansas Department of Children and Families at 1 (833) 765-2003.

You can also visit or call a local Department for Children and Families' Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.

Offices and services are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

View or Download Our Free Guide

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.