Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary financial assistance is paid to parent caretaker households in financial need and to certain relatives responsible for children who do not have parental support due to death, absence, incapacity, divorce, or unemployment. Participants may be provided with services such as job skills training, work experience, job readiness training, child care assistance, transportation, and other work related expenses.  An eligible child must be under age 18, or if 18, will graduate from high school before age 19, going to school regularly if he is between the ages of five and 18, living with a parent or other relative, and a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant.

For parent caretaker households who are required to participate in the VIEW work program, assistance is limited to two years unless a hardship exception is made.  Within 2 years of employment, child care and other support services are provided and/or child support obligations established.  For all parent caretaker households, total assistance is limited to a five-year lifetime maximum.

CommonHelp is the Commonwealth of Virginia’s fast and easy way to apply online for many Virginia social services assistance programs. Through a single online site, you can find out what assistance you might be eligible for and submit one application saving you time and effort. You can apply for Benefit Programs online at CommonHelp or by telephone by calling 1-855-635-4370.

Please call for more information.  The office is located at 17202 Richmond Turnpike, 2nd Floor, Milford VA 22514./