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.
Table of Contents
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 Oregon, the TANF program is known as Temporary Assistance for Families in Oregon (TANF). To learn more about TANF and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Oregon Department of Human Services website here.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Oregon (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 Oregon TANF page found here.
TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Oregon 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 However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM.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.
To apply for Food Assistance and/or TANF, visit the Oregon Benefit Portal here.
If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, call the Department of Human Services at (503) 945-5600.
The exact benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size and resources.
Eligible families can receive a maximum of $506 per month. Families can receive these benefits for up to 24 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about TANF and benefit amounts in Oregon here.
To qualify for TANF in Oregon, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about income requirements and work and training requirements here.
To learn more about who can receive TANF benefits, review the Application for Services form here.
Before you apply for Temporary Assistance for Families in Oregon, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the TANF eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Oregon Department of Human Services Application for Services form here.
To apply for TANF online, create an account on Oregon’s Benefit Portal here and fill out the TANF application.
To apply for TANF in person, click here to find the nearest Oregon DHS office location where you can drop off your application.
To apply for TANF by mail or by fax, fill out your Oregon benefit application found here and send it to your local DHS office through their fax number or mailing address. To locate the DHS office closest to you, click here.
To apply for TANF benefits by email, send your completed application (found here) to SSP.StatewideWorkshare@dhsoha.state.or.us.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Oregon Department of Human Services at (503) 945-5600 or email help@211info.org.
If you need the benefits application in another language, such as Spanish, Russian or Vietnamese, click here.
Depending on your method of application, you can check your application status in the following ways:
If you applied for TANF online, in person, by email, by mail or by fax, you will 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, or Oregon Trail 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 your local Self-Sufficiency Program office here.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS), you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing by phone or in person, you can call and speak to a representative at your local DHS office or apply in person using the Request form found here. To find a DHS office near you, click here.
To request an appeal by mail, fill out a request form found here and mail it to the DHS office closest to you. Find an office here.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing by fax, send your completed hearing request form to (503) 947-1503.
For additional information or assistance with the appeals process, call the Oregon Office of Administrative Hearings at (503) 947-1515 or visit their website here.
For help with obtaining Temporary Assistance for Families in Oregon, or for any further questions about your application, call the Oregon Department of Human Services helpline at 211 or email for assistance at help@211info.org.
You can also visit or call a local Self-Sufficiency Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
If you need to replace your EBT Card (Oregon Trail Card), call 1 (855) 328-6715.
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.