Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

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About TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a program that provides cash assistance and supportive services to assist families with children under age 18, helping them achieve economic self-sufficiency.

How to apply Individuals may apply for SNAP online through the FSSA Benefits Portal, by clicking here. Individuals who do not have access to a computer or internet can apply at a local DFR office. To find your local DFR office click here.

2026 TANF State Plan - Renewal Draft

The Division of Family Resources has posted the 2026 TANF State Plan – Renewal Draft, available here , for public comment. Comments on the plan and the design of such services may be emailed to DFRExecOffice.DFR@fssa.in.gov until Dec. 20, 2025.

TANF Work and State Plans

Indiana TANF work verification plan

Indiana TANF State Plan amendment

Who is eligible for TANF cash assistance? Children under 18 who are living with their parent(s) or relative such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle etc., who meet specific nonfinancial criteria and whose countable family monthly income meets the following income guidelines.

Assistance group size Gross income standard Net income standard 1 $457 $248.00 2 $618 $409.00 3 $778 $513.00 4 $938 $617.00 5 $1099 $721.00 6 $1259 $825.00 7 $1420 $929.00 8 $1580 $1033.00 9 $1740 $1137.00 10 $1901 $1241.00 Each Additional Member + $161 + $104.00

How much is the TANF cash assistance payment? Payments vary based on the family’s countable monthly income up to the maximum allowable amounts listed in the following charts.

Assistance Group Size Recipient Parent and/or Caretaker Children Only 1 $248 $248 2 $409 $409 3 $513 $513 4 $617 $617 5 $721 $721 6 $825 $825 7 $929 $929 8 $1033 $1033 9 $1137 $1137 10 $1241 $1241

FAQ

The applicant or recipient must provide the Division of Family Resources with accurate and complete information regarding the child(ren), parent(s) and all other household members whose income and needs are to be assessed in order to determine eligibility.

Individuals must provide Social Security numbers and meet state residency, citizenship/ immigration status, employment and child support assignment requirements.

As a condition of eligibility for TANF, adult applicants deemed mandatory for IMPACT, Indiana’s employment and training program, are required to attend Applicant Job Search Orientation and complete a minimum of 6 employer contacts, 3 of which have to be applications for employment. Failure to complete the Applicant Job Search program without good cause will result in the denial of the application for cash assistance.

The applicant or recipient is responsible to report any changes in circumstances to DFR within 10 days of the date the changes occurred.

A review is done of all the income available to meet the needs of the family. Some of the types of income considered are wages, unemployment benefits, Social Security benefits and child support. The gross income limit is 35% of the federal poverty level. Available income is compared to the net income standard, which is based on family size.

A family may not possess assets valued more than $1,000 at the time application for assistance is made. The house, which is the usual residence, is exempt. Each applicant group will be allowed an exclusion of $20,000 of total equity value in motor vehicles that belong to one or more members of a child’s family. For more details about the assets and resources that a family may have, please refer to Section 2615.60.15 noting that vehicles may be exempt in certain circumstances.

A decision will be made to grant assistance within 60 days of the date of application, unless there is a valid reason that prevents DFR from making a decision. For applicants not meeting all conditions of eligibility, a decision to deny assistance will be made no later than 61 days after the date of application.

The applicant or recipient has the right to appeal any action on his or her case and have a fair hearing. An applicant or recipient may appeal by sending a written request to the local DFR office or to the Hearings and Appeals Section of DFR within 33 days of the date of the action or issue being appealed.