Public Benefits are Key! TANF and WorkFirst – May 31st, 2023
Welcome back to Public Benefits are Key! As our frontline human service workers, you know the difference public benefits can make! One of the most vital benefits is TANF, a cash assistance program that is accessed by over 700,000 families in the US. Check out our updated presentation to learn about TANF eligibility, benefit limit exceptions and extensions, WorkFirst requirements, client advocacy tips, and recent program updates from Hannah Rosenberger of Benefits Legal Assistance at Solid Ground. How Can Someone Access TANF Benefits? Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a cash assistance program available to families with dependent children. A family may be eligible for TANF if they: Child-Only TANF is also available for some children, even when other household members, including kin caregivers, are ineligible due to non-citizenship. Questions about eligibility? Visit washingtonconnection.org For those ineligible or not receiving TANF, other programs may be available to families. These include: A note on earned vs unearned income. Earned income is typically income from employment. Unearned income is income from another source, such as Social Security benefits or unemployment insurance. When considering income limits, unearned income is considered dollar for dollar, in that if a family of two receives $2,000 in SSDI and unemployment, they are ineligible due to exceeding the income level limit of $1,056 for a family of two. However, earned income is counted at 50%, with an additional earned income disregard of $500 (starting August 1st, 2024). For example, if a family of two receives $2,000 in wages from employment, it is officially considered $500 ($2000/2-$500), and therefore below the income level limit of $1,056 for a family of two, qualifying them for benefits (note that the additional $500 disregard does not go into effect until August 2024). Benefit amounts start at $417/month for a single person and increases based on …