Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
Virginia
What is Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families?
Virginia's TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program, authorized by the PRWORA (Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act) of 1996, replaced the AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children) program. PRWORA created a block grant program that gives states considerable flexibility in designing and administering assistance programs. The TANF program was designed to dramatically reform the nation's welfare system by moving recipients into work, developing the personal responsibility of recipients, and turning welfare into a program of temporary assistance.
Eligible families receive a monthly cash payment to meet their basic needs. To be eligible, a family must be financially needy and must meet certain requirements.
Administration
Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is administered by Virginia.
Program Requirements
To be eligible for Virginia Family Assistance, you must be a resident of Virginia, 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 be one of the following:
- Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or
- Be pregnant, or
- Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.
Application Details
What is the application process for Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families?
You may get an Application for Benefits form at the department of social services office in your county or city. If you go to the social services office, you may fill out the form there and turn it in before leaving, or you may take it with you and mail or take it back later. If you prefer, you can call the social services office and ask them to send you an application form. You must then mail or take it back to the social services office. An interview is required to go over the information to complete the application process.
Please visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website to locate the nearest department of social services and/or download an application for benefits:
- Application page.
- Local social service agency page.
Unless instructions are indicated on the individual form, all forms under Temporary Assistance Programs should be sent or delivered to the local social service agency that either services your geographical jurisdiction or handles your existing case.
Contact Info
(855) 635-4370