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 Wyoming, the TANF program is also known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or the Power Work program. To learn more about TANF and the assistance benefits it provides, visit the Wyoming Department of Family Services website here.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Wyoming (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 Wyoming TANF PDF found here.
TANF and Food Assistance are both assistance programs administered by the Wyoming Department of Family 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 However, TANF benefits can be transferred directly into a participant’s bank account or withdrawn from an approved ATM.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, visit your local Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) office here.
If you have questions about TANF or Food Assistance, call the Department of Family Services at (800) 457-3659.
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 $697 per month for the Power Work program, or $232 monthly for the Power Caretaker Relative program. Families can receive these benefits for up to 24 months throughout their lifetime.
Learn more information about TANF and benefit amounts in Wyoming here.
To qualify for TANF in Wyoming, 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 Wyoming, complete the following three steps:
Learn about the TANF eligibility requirements here.
Find a list of what you need to apply on the Wyoming Department of Family Services website here.
In Wyoming, you can only apply for TANF or the Power Work program by completing the application here and making an appointment with your local Department of Family Services (DFS) office.
To apply for TANF in person, click here to find the nearest Wyoming DFS office location.
If you have any further questions about the application process, call the Wyoming Department of Family Services TANF manager at (307) 746-3901 or send an email to georgia.auch1@wyo.gov.
If you need an application in Spanish, click here.
After applying with your local Department of Family Services (DFS), you can call your local office to get an update on your application status or contact the TANF manager at (307) 746-3901.
To contact your local DFS office, click here.
If you applied for TANF in person, you should receive a notice in the mail from the Department of Family 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 your local DFS office here or the TANF Manager at (307) 746-3901.
If you do not agree with the benefit decision given to you by the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS), you can appeal your decision by mail within 28 days of receiving your determination letter.
To file an appeal for a Fair Hearing by mail, you will need to write a letter that includes the following information:
You must also enclose a copy of your determination letter when filing an appeal by mail.
Once you have written your appeal letter and made a copy of your determination letter, mail your documents to the address indicated on your determination letter.
If you have any questions about how to appeal your food assistance decision, click here to view the Office of Administrative Hearings website or find out how to contact the office here.
For help with obtaining Temporary Assistance for Families in Wyoming, or for any further questions about your application, call the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) at (800) 457-3659.
For questions about your application, contact the DFS TANF manager at (307) 746-3901 or send an email to georgia.auch1@wyo.gov.
To send the Wyoming Department of Family Services information physically, you can mail your documents or questions to the following address:
Wyoming Department of Family Services
2922 Hwy 85, Suite 200
Newcastle, WY 82701
You can also visit or call a local DFS 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.