TANF - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides cash assistance to families while they work towards becoming self-sufficient. Once enrolled in TANF they are also eligible for help receiving job training and education.
TANF benefits can be used to pay rent, utility bills and other necessities. If TANF funds are not adequate to cover rent, general assistance may be available to help make up the deficit.
A family can receive TANF benefits for a period of 60 months unless the family qualifies for an exemption.
It is necessary to periodically report all sources of income, so it is necessary to keep accurate records.
It is also necessary to keep receipts of what was purchased with the TANF funds. Please remind your families to do so and how to file them in a safe place for future reference if required.
TANF recipients should be aware that fraud or attempted fraud involving funds administered by DHHS is a serious offense. Fraudulent activity includes:
- not reporting an income source
- incorrectly reporting who resides with them or failing to report being married.
- misusing of or trafficking in EBT funds. i.e. Selling or trading your EBT card or allowing another to purchase items for themselves with your EBT card.
If a person is found to have committed fraud, they can be disqualified from receiving benefits from the program for 1 year for the first violation, 2 years for the second violation and permanently for the third violation.
TANF benefits are issued to an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card known as the “Blue Card”. Both TANF and SNAP benefits are issued to the same EBT card.
Click here for important information about the EBT card.
** When swiping the EBT card at a store it is important to make the right selection. Select FOOD to use the SNAP benefit and CASH to use the TANF benefit. If you use both a food supplement benefit account (SNAP) and a cash benefit account (TANF) at the store, it will be necessary to swipe your card through the machine two times and to enter your PIN two times. . In most cases, you would select FOOD first, to apply the SNAP benefit, and then select Cash, to apply the TANF benefit for the other acceptable items.
The EBT card can also be used to obtain cash at an ATM machine that has the QUEST logo. Cash received from the ATM machine using the EBT card should only be used to purchase or pay for authorized TANF items or expenses. TANF cash benefits are to be used for the purchase of items to help parents and their children with the basic needs of everyday living and using the benefits for any other purpose is against the program's intent. Benefits used to meet the program's intent include food, clothing, shelter, utilities, household goods, personal care items, and general incidental expenses. Purchases such as lottery tickets and tobacco products do not meet the intent of the program.
Catholic Charities will complete the application for all new refugees.
Who may be eligible?
To be eligible for Maine Family Assistance, you must be a resident of Maine, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien, or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also meet one of the following criteria:
- Have a child 18 years of age or younger.
- Be pregnant.
- Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.
The My Maine Connection portal also offers a prescreening tool that can help you find out if you may be eligible.
How to Apply
Option 1: Apply online through My Maine Connection.
Option 2: Download and mail an application to
Office for Family Independence
114 Corn Shop Lane
Farmington, ME 04938
Option 3: E-mail an application to Farmington.DHHS@Maine.gov
Option 4: Fax an application to (207) 778-8429.
Option 5: Visit one of our district offices and apply in person.
Other Useful Links:
Information about benefits for asylum seekers:
Information about TANF:
https://maineequaljustice.org/site/assets/files/1746/doc_2_2_tanf_aspire_program_guide.pdf
Other TANF Programs
ASPIRE
The ASPIRE program helps TANF recipients move towards financial independence through case management, job training, education, support, and employment services.
Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE)
HOPE helps Maine parents enroll in and complete training and education beyond high school by providing financial support for costs related to training and education. Learn more about the HOPE program.
Parents as Scholars (PaS)
A monthly benefit through TANF that helps parents working through a two- or four-year degree-granting education program.
Alternative Aid Assistance
Alternative Aid Assistance assists TANF eligible parents who need short term help to find or maintain employment. Voucher payments, equal to up to three months of TANF benefits, are made available to families to help them with employment related expenses and avoid the need for TANF benefits.
Emergency Assistance
Emergency Assistance provides voucher payments for children and their families who are threatened by destitution or are homeless due to an emergency.
TANF Transitional Benefits
Transitional Child Care (TCC) can help former TANF recipients pay for work related childcare. Transitional Transportation (TT) can help working families pay for transportation related expenses for a period of time. Learn more about the TT program.