PM I-02-01: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The TANF program provides money to qualified families with revised textrelated children living with them who are under age 18 or through age 18 if attending high school full-time. The program also provides money to pregnant women with no eligible children, and, if the pregnant woman is married or in a civil union, to her spouse/civil union partner if living with her. A person must prove that they qualify and cooperate with program requirements.

TANF families receive a revised textmedical card for help with their medical needs. The card lists each eligible person. When someone needs medical service, they show the medical card to the doctor, hospital, drug store, clinic, etc. The person must go to a medical provider who is approved to participate in the medical program and has agreed to accept payment from HFS and send the bill to HFS.

TANF is for:

revised text

  • A child living with an eligible parent or relative who is included in the cash payment. 
  • An eligible child living with an ineligible parent(s). 
  • A pregnant woman with no eligible children. 
  • A parent of an eligible child.
  • A child living with a relative other than their parent when the relative chooses not to be included in the cash payment. 
  • The child(ren) of a child receiving an adoption assistance subsidy through the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). 
  • A caretaker relative whose only eligible child(ren) in the home receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 
  • A spouse or civil union partner of an eligible adult.  

(see PM 04-01-00 for TANF filing unit policy).