Financial Services: TANF

Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary financial assistance to needy eligible families with children. Eligible families receive a monthly payment for their basic needs.

For a child to be eligible he/she must be:

• Under age 18, or if 18, will graduate from high school before age 19
• Going to school regularly if he is between the ages of five and 18
• Living with a parent or other relative
• A U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant

How do I apply for TANF?

In order to apply for TANF, you may pick up an application from the Suffolk Department of Social Services located at 135 Hall Avenue, Suite B in Suffolk, VA or call (757) 514-7450 for additional information.

You may also fill out an application at Virginia Department of Social Services.

Facts about the TANF Program….

If you are applying for TANF, you may be eligible for a lump sum payment, instead of monthly TANF payments. This is called a Diversionary Assistance Payment.

TANF promotes economic independence through participation in the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) program.

VIEW requires most TANF recipients to work at least 30 hours per week.

If you are not working 30 hours per week, you will have to participate in VIEW for 35 hours per week.

If your child is 12 months or older, you are required to participate in VIEW.

If your child is 6 weeks or older and not on TANF because of the “cap” rule, you will be required to participate in VIEW.

If you did not finish school, we can help you get a GED.

If you are pregnant, you may still be required to work.

While you are working, you can get help with child care and transportation.

There is a lifetime limit of 60 months for receiving TANF benefits.

The Suffolk Workforce Development Center can help prepare you for employment.

We want to work with YOU to develop a work and career plan.