Apply For District of Columbia TANF

This page provides the District of Columbia 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.

District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia welfare benefits. Read on for more information about applying for TANF. If you have additional questions or issues about this program, then contact TANF District of Columbia.

What are the New TANF Requirements?

TANF customers must now attend an Orientation and complete an Assessment and Individual Responsibility Plan (IRP) when applying for or recertifying for benefits.

What is an Orientation and Assessment?
The Orientation explains the new requirements for receiving TANF. The Assessment is a private interview with a DHS specialist that will identify a customer's strengths as well as challenges to determine the best vendor/provider to help the customer move toward self-sufficiency.

What if I do not complete the Orientation and Assessment?
As of February 1, 2013, if you do not attend the Orientation and complete the Assessment and IRP when required, you will not be eligible to receive TANF benefits.

What is an IRP?
The IRP, or Individual Responsibility Plan, is developed by you along with a Vocational Development Specialist (VDS) from the Department of Human Services. It lists your goals, and career interests, and the steps needed to achieve self sufficiency. You are required to complete the activities in your IRP, which may include going to work or attending school. You can modify your IRP, but you will need to work with your case manager to make changes.

What if I Do Not Follow My IRP?
If you do not follow your IRP, and you do not have a documented good cause, you will be sanctioned. A sanction is a temporary reduction in benefits applied to your case until you are in compliance with your IRP for four weeks.

How do I complete the Orientation and Assessment?
Call the Family Resource Center at 202-698-1860 to schedule an appointment.

Note: Effective February 1, 2013, if you do not attend the Orientation and complete the Assessment and Individual Responsibility Plan when required, you will not be eligible to receive TANF benefits.

What happens after I complete the Orientation and Assessment?
You will be assigned to a vendor/service provider based on the results of your assessment. You will also be eligible to apply for assistance with child care.

For more information about TANF Requirements, please call the Family Resource Center at 202-698-1860.


District of Columbia Employment Search

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


Apply Online For District of Columbia 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.