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 Utah, the TANF program is also known as Temporary Assistance for Families in Utah (TANF). To learn more about TANF and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Utah Workforce Services website here.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Utah (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 Utah TANF State Plan PDF found here.
TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Utah Department of Workforce 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.
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 However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM.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 Utah Benefit Portal here.
If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, call the Department of Workforce Services at 1 (866) 435-7414.
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 $498 per month. Families can receive these benefits for up to 24 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about TANF and benefit amounts in Utah here.
To qualify for TANF in Utah, 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.
Before you apply for Temporary Assistance for Families in Utah, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the TANF eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Utah Department of Workforce Services website here.
To apply for TANF online, create an account on Utah’s Assistance Portal here and fill out the TANF application.
To apply for TANF in person, click here to find the nearest Utah Workforce office location.
To apply for TANF by mail, fill out the Application for Assistance and send it with copies of your necessary documents to the following address:
Utah Department of Workforce Services
P.O. Box 45249
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0249
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact the Utah Workforce Services Eligibility Division at 1 (866) 435-7414.
If you have any general questions about the TANF program call (801) 526-9675.
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 will receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Workforce 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.
If you applied in person at a local Division of Welfare office, you will receive your determination and EBT card on the same day so long as you provide all the required information and documentation.
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 1 (866) 435-7414.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Utah Workforce Services, you can appeal your decision in person or by mail within 90 days of receiving your determination letter.
You can appeal your SNAP benefit decision and file a fair hearing request by phone, by mail and by fax.
To file an appeal by phone, call 1 (877) 837-3247 and be sure to have your determination letter on hand.
To file an appeal by fax, fill out the Fair Hearing Request form found here and submit it to (877) 824-6534.
To request a fair hearing by mail, complete the request form found here and mail it to the following address:
Department of Workforce Services – Fair Hearings
PO Box 143245
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-3245
If you have any questions about how to request a fair hearing, call 1 (877) 837-3247.
For help with obtaining SNAP benefits, or for any further questions about your application, call the Utah Workforce Services at (801) 526-9675. You can also send your inquiries via email to dwscontactus@utah.gov.
If you have questions about your eligibility or application status, call 1 (866) 435-7414.
To send the Utah Workforce Services information physically, you can mail them using the following address:
Utah Department of Workforce Services
P.O. Box 45249
Salt Lake City, UT 84145-0249
You can also visit or call a local Workforce Office for further assistance. Find your nearest location here.
If you have questions about your EBT card, call (800) 997-4444.
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.