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.

Tribal Nations 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.

Several federally recognized American Indian tribes and Alaska Native villages run separate TANF programs from the state and territories where they live. To view a list of all federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native tribal entities on the U.S. government website, click here.

To learn more about Tribal TANF and assistance benefits it provides, review the national Tribal TANF page here.

What Services Does Tribal TANF Provide?

Temporary Assistance for Families 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. In some states, the program helps with childcare costs.

For more information on the services the TANF program provides to participating families, check out your state’s TANF website or review the national Tribal TANF pages for Native Employment Works here and Child Welfare here.

What Is the Difference Between TANF and Food Assistance?

TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the state’s local government. 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, click 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 However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM.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 in your state, click here.

If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, contact your state’s Tribal TANF program. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

How Much Assistance Does Tribal TANF Provide?

The exact cash benefit amount a family will receive each month will depend on their household income, size, resources and location.

Families without a qualifying tribal status will have a maximum benefit limit of 60 months. However, this federal limit does not apply to families living in Indian country or Native Alaskan Villages or that have a head of household member or spouse who qualifies under the Tribal TANF requirements.

Learn more information about TANF and time limits here.

To find out how much cash assistance you qualify for, contact your state’s Tribal TANF program. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

How to Qualify for Tribal TANF

To qualify for Tribal TANF, you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be a citizen of the United States or legal resident
  • Be a resident of the state, territory or program area
  • Have children in your care
  • Participate in the work and training requirements
  • Meet the state’s or tribe’s income requirements for your household size

Learn more about income limits here 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.

How to Apply for Tribal TANF

Before you apply for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Families, complete the following three steps:

  1. Check the eligibility requirements.

Learn about the TANF 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 the Department of Health and Welfare website here.

  1. Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, in person, by phone, by fax or by mail.

To find out which application methods are available, contact your state’s Tribal TANF program. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

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 same assistance portal you used to apply.
  • If you applied in person, by phone, by fax or by mail, contact the Tribal TANF agency where you applied. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

What Happens After You Apply for Tribal TANF?

You may need to complete an interview with the Tribal TANF agency. If you are approved, you will receive a notice in the mail with your determination, your benefit amount and how you will be receiving the benefits.

Assistance benefits may be issued on an EBT card that will arrive in the mail or directly into your bank account if the program offers direct deposit options.

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, contact your state’s Tribal TANF program. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

How to Appeal a Denial of Benefits

If you do not agree with the TANF benefit decision given to you, you can file an appeal with the Departmental Appeals Board. In most cases, you have a set time limit to file an appeal after receiving your determination letter.

To file an appeal, contact your local Tribal TANF 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 Tribal TANF contact information here.

You may need to submit a request in writing through a state form or a letter that includes the following information:

  • Your name
  • Your address
  • Your phone number
  • The reason for your appeal
  • Your desired solution for how the agency should remedy the situation

You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal.

For more information on the appeal process, contact your state’s Tribal TANF program. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

Need More Help?

For help with obtaining Tribal Temporary Assistance for Families or for any further questions about your application, contact your state’s Tribal TANF program. Find Tribal TANF contact information here.

You can also contact the Office of Family Assistance Regional TANF Manager for your area. Find contact information for Regional Program Managers for Tribal TANF here.

To look up federally recognized tribes by state, click here.

For more information on Tribal programs, contact the Division of Human Services for the Office of Indian Services by phone at (202) 513-7642.

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.