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 North Dakota, the TANF program is known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in North Dakota (TANF). To learn more about TANF and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the North Dakota Department of Human Services website here.
Temporary Assistance for Families in North Dakota (TANF) 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 North Dakota TANF PDF found here.
TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the North Dakota Department of Human Services. 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 However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM.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 Food Assistance due to the low-income requirement of both programs. For more information about Food Assistance, click here.
If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, call the Department of Human Services at (800) 755-2716.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources. Once benefits are calculated, the minimum benefit per household per month is $10. If the calculated benefit is less than $10, no TANF benefits will be given.
Families can receive TANF benefits for up to 60 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about TANF and benefit amounts in North Dakota here.
To qualify for TANF in North Dakota, 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 Families in North Dakota, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the TANF eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply in the Application for Assistance Guidebook here.
To apply for TANF online, create an account on North Dakota’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the virtual application form.
To apply for TANF in person, click here to find the nearest North Dakota Human Services office location. Be sure to fill out an Application for Assistance found here before you turn it into your local office.
To apply for TANF by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance form found here and mail it to your local Human Services zone office here.
If you cannot print out your Application for Assistance, you may request your local office to send you one.
For any further questions, contact the Human Services zone office nearest to you here, or call the Assistance Policy Division at (701) 328-2332.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for TANF online, in person or by mail, you should receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Human Services within 30 days of receiving your application with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits, if you are eligible.
If you have a valid bank account listed on your application, your TANF benefits will be deposited within 14 days of when you receive your determination letter. Otherwise, you will receive an EBT card in the mail within 14 days.
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) 755-2716.
If you do not agree with the TANF benefit decision given to you by the North Dakota Department of Human Services, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 30 days of receiving your determination letter.
To appeal your decision and request a Fair hearing, click here and send your appeal online.
If you have any further questions about the appeals process, call (800) 755-2716.
For help with obtaining Temporary Assistance for Families in North Dakota, or for any further questions about your application, call the North Dakota Economic Policy Division at (800) 755-2716. You can also send your inquiries via email to dhseap@nd.gov.
For those with a hearing or speech impairment, please use the TTY Relay line at (800) 366-6888 or dial 711.
To send the North Dakota Department of Human Services information physically, you can mail your documents to the following address:
Economic Assistance Policy Division
600 E Boulevard Dept 325
Bismarck ND 58505-0250
You can also visit or call a local Human Services zone 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.
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.