Apply For Pennsylvania TANF

This page provides the Pennsylvania TANF eligibility requirements. Applicants must meet both state and federal guidelines for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Individuals who apply for TANF must meet the monetary and non-monetary state guidelines, complete work-related activities, provide paternity information about the children in the household and report as required by the state.

Pennsylvania residents who qualify for welfare are required to furnish information such as citizenship, income, resources, and age. Only household members who are eligible can receive Pennsylvania welfare benefits. Read on for more information about applying for TANF. If you have additional questions or issues about this program, then contact TANF Pennsylvania.

TANF and Moving to Independence

The Department of Human Services is dedicated to helping low-income families become independent while they receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, benefits. TANF is also referred to as "cash assistance". The TANF program provides money to help:

Pregnant women
Dependent children and their parents who live with them
Dependent children and other relatives who live with them and care for them

How to Apply For Pennsylvania TANF

You can apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS,the online resource for cash assistance, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services
You can also File an application at your local county assistance office or
Download an application form and return it to your local county assistance office

If you need help completing the application form or need more information about benefits, trained workers at your county assistance office can help you.

Are You Eligible For TANF?

To be eligible for cash assistance/TANF, you must meet certain requirements. Workers at the county assistance office can provide more information on all of these requirements:

You must be a United States citizen and a resident of Pennsylvania. (Certain non-citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence may be eligible)
You and your family members must provide Social Security Numbers or apply for them
You are required to look for a job or participate in an employment and training program. (Some people may be excused from the work requirements, for example, a person with a disability)
You are required to help the caseworker complete an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR), which is a plan for what you will do so you no longer need cash assistance. The plan may include looking for work, attending a training program, or applying for Social Security benefits. You must sign the AMR and follow through with the plan
If you want cash assistance for a dependent child, you must cooperate with paternity and child support requirements, unless you have a good cause for not not cooperating. Your child must be under age 18 or age 18 and a full-time student. Your child must live with you and you must care for the child. You must need support and care for the child as a result of at least one of these things:
- Death of the child's parent
- Incapacity of the child's parent (such as a long illness)
- Continued absence of a parent from your home or
- One or both parents with no income or low income from employment
Your resources (things with cash value such as bank accounts, bonds or property that is not your primary/main residence) must have a value of $1,000 or less
You must report all income from employment or from other sources including, but not limited to, child support, unemployment compensation, interest, Social Security benefits, or lottery winnings

How Long Can I Receive cash assistance?

You can receive cash assistance for 60 months TOTAL (five years) over the course of your lifetime.

Pennsylvania Employment Search

Part of the requirement, while on the TANF program, is finding a job to help sustain your financial needs. Pennsylvania provides an online job site for you to search for employment. You can view the job site by clicking here.

Apply Online For Pennsylvania TANF

If you have questions about applying for TANF benefits, or you want to see if you can apply for TANF Georgia online, then visit the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families website here.