Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is intended to provide financial assistance to needy two-parent families with children under 18 that are deprived of parental support.  This deprivation is met if one parent, the primary wage earner, is unemployed.  The TANF program provides eligible families with a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs.  Participants may be provided with services such as job skills training, work experience, job readiness training, child care assistance, transportation, and other work related expenses. An eligible child 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, and a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant.



The TANF program initiative has time to limited benefits, a strong work requirement, and a social contract that sets out the responsibilities of and expectations for recipients of public assistance and the government.

CommonHelp is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s fast and easy way to apply online for many Virginia social services assistance programs. Through a single online site, you can find out what assistance you might be eligible for and submit one application saving you time and effort.  Apply for Benefit Programs online at CommonHelp or by telephone by calling 1-855-635-4370.