State TANF Programs and Agencies

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a fixed block grant providing flexible funding to states to support a wide range of activities for low-income families with children.  With few restrictions, TANF funds can be used for any activity reasonably aimed at one of the four statutory purposes.  Federal administration of the TANF program is housed within the Administration of Children and Families (ACF) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Funds go from ACF to the state, territory, or Indian tribe agency that operates the TANF program. In most states, it is the state's Department of Family Services or its Department of Human Services, but it varies.  Below is a list of and link to each state's TANF program and the respective agency that administers it.  To view a pdf >>.

A - H  |  I - M  |  N - R  |  S - Z

Alabama

• Department of Human Resources
• FA (Family Assistance Program)

Alaska 

• Department of Health and Social Services
• ATAP (Alaska Temporary Assistance Program)

Arizona

• Department of Economic Security
• EMPOWER (Employing and Moving People Off Welfare and Encouraging Responsibility)

Arkansas

• Department of Human Services
• Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA)

California

• Department of Social Services
• CALWORKS (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)

Colorado

• Department of Human Services
• Colorado Works

Connecticut

• Department of Social Services
• JOBS FIRST

Delaware

• Department of Health and Social Services
• TANF

District of Columbia

• Department of Human Services
• TANF

Florida

• Agency for Workforce Innovation
• Welfare Transition Program

Georgia

• Department of Human Service
• TANF

Hawaii

• Department of Human Services
• TANF

Idaho

• Department of Health and Welfare
• Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho

Illinois

• Department of Human Services
• TANF

Indiana

• Family and Social Services Administration
• TANF cash assistance
• TANF work program

Iowa

• Department of Human Services
• FIP (Family Investment Program)

Kansas

• Department of Social and Rehabilitative Services
• Temporary assistance For Families

Kentucky

• Department for Community Based Services
• KTAP (Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program)

Louisiana

• Department of Children and Family Services
• FITAP (Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program)
• Strategies to Empower People (STEP)

Maine

• Department of Health and Human Services
• TANF programs

Maryland

• Department of Human Resources
• FIP (Family Investment Program) /Temporary Cash Assistance

Massachusetts

• Department of Health and Human Services
• TAFDC (Transitional Aid to Families with Dependent Children)

Michigan

• Department of Human Services
• FIP (Family Independence Program)

Minnesota

• Department of Human Services
• MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program)

Mississippi

• Department of Human Services
• TANF

Missouri

• Department of Social Services
• Temporary Assistance

Montana

• Department of Public Health and Human Services
• TANF

Nebraska

• Department of Health and Human Services
• Employment First

Nevada

• Department of Health and Humans Services
• TANF

New Hampshire

• Department of Health and Human Services
• TANF

New Jersey

• Department of Human Services
• WorkFirst New Jersey (WFNJ)

New Mexico

• Human Services Department
• TANF/ NM Works

New York

• Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance
• Temporary Assistance

North Carolina

• Division of Social Services
• Work First

North Dakota

• Department of Human Services
• TANF and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS)

Ohio

• Department of Jobs and Family Services
• Ohio Works First (OWF)

Oklahoma

• Department of Human Services
• TANF

Oregon

• Department of Human Service
• TANF
• Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Program (JOBS)

Pennsylvania

• Department of Public Welfare
• Pennsylvania TANF

Rhode Island

• Department of Human Services
• Rhode Island Works

South Carolina

• Department of Social Services
• Family Independence

South Dakota

• Department of Social Services
• TANF

Tennessee

• Department of Human Services
• Families First

Texas

• Health and Human Services Commission
• TANF

Utah

• Department of Workforce Services
• FEP (Family Employment Program)

Vermont

• Department for Children and Families
• Emergency/General Assistance

Virginia

• Department of Social Services
• TANF

Washington

• Department of Social and Health Services
• TANF

West Virginia

• Department of Health and Human Resources
• West Virginia Works

Wisconsin

• Department of Children and Families
• TANF

Wyoming

• Department of Family Services
• TANF

Information last updated December 2010.  Any issues or concerns about the information presented please feel free to email ekenefick@clasp.org.