Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The TANF Program provides benefits for families with needy children under age 18. The TANF Program is a workforce development and training program designed to help needy families achieve self-sufficiency through employment and training activities provided by the TANF Work Program (TWP). TANF supportive services such as assistance with childcare and transportation expenses are available to help the adults in the family prepare for employment and promote self-sufficiency.
The purpose of the TANF program is to:
- To provide assistance to needy families with children so that they can live in their own home or the homes of relatives;
- To end the dependency of needy parents on government benefits through work, job preparation, and marriage;
- To reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies; and
- To promote the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
Who is eligible for TANF cash assistance?
To be eligible for TANF, a family must have at least one child living in the house under the age of 18 and a monthly income that is at or below the following gross monthly income limit:
| wdt_ID | Number Persons in Assistance Unit (AU) | Maximum Monthly Gross Income Limit (185%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | $403 |
| 2 | 2 | $542 |
| 3 | 3 | $680 |
| 4 | 4 | $819 |
| 5 | 5 | $958 |
| 6 | 6 | $1,097 |
| 7 | 7 | $1,235 |
| 8 | 8 | $1,374 |
| 9 | 9 | $1,513 |
| 10 | 10 | $1,652 |
(185% of the poverty level).
Documents you may need for the application and verification process
Identification
- Driver’s license
- Work or school ID
- Work badge
- Health insurance ID
- ID for another assistance program
- Voter registration card
- Birth certificates
- Draft cards or military ID
- Medicare Card
- United States Passport
- Proof of where you live
- Rent or lease receipts from landlord
- Utility bills
- Mortgage payment book
- Tax receipts
- Documents showing home address
Residency
- Rent or lease receipt from the landlord
- Utility bills (gas, electric, water, etc.)
- Telephone bill
- Property tax statement
- Home owner’s insurance policy
- Mortgage payment books
Proof Of Relationship
- Birth certificates
- Marriage licenses
- Insurance policies
- Wills
Social Security Numbers
- Social Security Card for each member of the household
- An official document containing the Social Security Number
- Social Security Award Letter
- SSS form for newborns
Trust Funds
- Wills
- Court orders
- Deeds or other documents by which the trust was established
Dependent Care
- Childcare or daycare receipts or statements from provider
Income
- Check Stubs
- Statement from employer
- Benefit award letter from Social Security
- SSI
- Veterans Administration
- Unemployment Compensation
- Business records for self-employed
- Lay off or termination notice
- IRS 1040 Form – for self-employment
Alien Status
- INS 1-151 Alien Registration Receipt Card
- 1-551 Re-entry Permit; 1-94 Arrival-Departure Record
Medical Expenses
- Medical bills from hospitals or clinics
- Printouts from pharmacist
- Health insurance premium receipt or stub
- Payment agreement with doctor, and/or hospital
Property Owned
- Sold or Transferred
- Deeds
- Sale or transfer papers
Pregnancy
- Statement from a licensed physician or medical personnel in a public health or outpatient clinic
Who can receive TANF?
Provides up to 60 months of benefits. Helps with expenses when you are out of work. Builds work-readiness skills. You may also be eligible for the Child Care Payment Program. Serves any size family. Assists with finding a job through the TANF Work Program (TWP).
TANF FAQs
What is a Mississippi Debit MasterCard Card (ePayment/Way2Go Card)?
It is a way of delivering TANF benefits and TANF Work Program supportive service payments to TANF recipients and Child Support payments to custodial parents without issuing paper checks. Cardholders can use the debit card at merchant and bank locations worldwide.
The debit card has a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, toll-free Customer Service. The number is 1-855-709-1079. You can call the automated response unit (ARU) to find out how many benefits are left in your account or to inquire about child support payments. You can also report lost, stolen, or damaged cards, get your transaction history, pin or re-pin your card or discuss any problems you are having with your debit card.
You are allowed five (5) free calls to Customer Service each month to ask about your balance or to hear your transaction history. After the fifth call each calendar month, each call will cost you $0.50 (50 cents).
Do not call this number to discuss your TANF eligibility or child support case. Call your worker at the county office to discuss questions about your case. You can find your local county office contact information here.
Helpful Resources & Websites
Links open to sites outside of MDHS.ms.gov
