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The Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is designed to provide monthly cash benefits to eligible individuals and families. Its primary goal is to help recipients become self-supportive and meet their essential needs, such as rent, utilities, clothing, transportation, and additional expenses.
Apply For Georgia TANF Benefits
Learn how to apply for Georgia TANF online including eligibility, documents, benefits, and more to apply for Georgia TANF. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, called Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, allows you to self-support while receiving a monthly cash benefit to meet your everyday needs such as rent, utilities, clothing, transportation, or additional expenses. Can help to be helpful. Sometimes you may not be eligible to receive TANF for yourself, but you may have a child or children in your household. The TANF program is administered by the Department of Human Services. In most cases, you must meet both categorical and financial eligibility to qualify for TANF.
Additionally, there are work requirements to qualify for TANF. The GA TANF program requires most adults to be employed or participate in certain work-related activities that will be assigned to you for a certain number of hours on a weekly basis in order to continue receiving TANF benefits.
The total number of hours required to meet your work activity requirement depends on the structure of your family. Eligible state residents are required to submit information including household income, age, citizenship and resources. Only household members who are eligible for Georgia TANF can receive welfare benefits. For more information about applying for GA TANF benefits, see the information below. If you still have questions or issues, contact TANF Georgia.

Objective of the Georgia TANF Program
The objective of the Georgia TANF program is to assist low-income families with children under 18, children attending school full-time at age 18, and pregnant women. It aims to provide financial support while promoting self-sufficiency through employment services.
Georgia TANF Program Features
- Monthly cash benefits
- Employment services component
- Assistance for low-income families with children
- Cooperation with the Division of Child Support Services
Georgia TANF Program Benefits
Monthly cash benefits are provided to eligible recipients to help cover basic living expenses.
Overview Georgia TANF benefits
Program Name | Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) |
---|---|
Department | Georgia Department of Human Services (Division of Family and Children Services) |
Benefits of the Scheme | Provides monthly cash benefits to eligible low-income families to meet essential needs like rent, utilities, clothing, transportation, and more. |
Eligibility | - Child must be under 18 years of age (or 19 if a full-time student). |
- Must apply for and accept other eligible benefits. | |
- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful resident alien. | |
- Child must be deprived due to specific circumstances. | |
- All assistance unit members must have or apply for a Social Security number. | |
- School attendance for children aged 6 to 17. | |
- Immunization for preschool children. | |
- Income must be below established limits. | |
- Lifetime limits apply, with possible extensions. | |
- Paternity must be established. | |
- Work requirement: Adult recipients must participate in work activities for at least 30 hours weekly. | |
- Cooperation with the Office of Child Support Services is mandatory. | |
Documents | - Proof of identity (ID or driver's license) |
- Proof of U.S. citizenship/qualified immigrant status | |
- Social Security numbers for all requesting assistance | |
- Proof of income (pay stubs, award letters, child support payments, etc.) | |
- Proof of expenses (child care receipts, medical bills, etc.) | |
Application Fee | There is no application fee. |
How to Apply | To start the application process, contact your local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office. You can also download the application form from the DFCS website. |
Application Start Date | Applications can be submitted at any time. |
Last Date to Apply | No specific deadline; applications can be made as needed. |
Mandatory | Yes, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria. |
Helpline Number | 1-877-423-4746 (for assistance including interpreters) |
Official Website | Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) |
Form Download | - Application for Benefits (Form 297) |
- Rights and Responsibilities (Form 297A) | |
Beneficiary List | Contact DFCS for beneficiary information. |
Georgia TANF eligibility requirements
To qualify for Georgia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria. Here are the key eligibility requirements:
- Age: A child must be less than 18 years of age to be eligible for TANF. If the child is a full-time student, eligibility extends until age 19.
- Application for Other Benefits:
- TANF applicants and recipients must apply for and accept other eligible benefits they may be entitled to. This includes benefits such as Unemployment Compensation, Workman's Compensation, Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI), Child Support, and more.
- Citizenship:
- TANF recipients must be either U.S. citizens or lawful resident aliens.
- Deprivation:
- Children must be considered deprived due to specific circumstances, which include:
- Continued absence from the home of at least one parent.
- Physical or mental incapacity of at least one parent.
- Death of a parent. In a two-parent family where both parents are able-bodied, deprivation is established if one parent has a recent connection to the workforce.
- Enumeration: All members of the assistance unit must have or apply for a Social Security number. School Attendance: Children between the ages of 6 and 17 who have not graduated from high school or have not received a certificate of high school equivalency must attend school regularly.
- Immunization: All preschool children must have up-to-date immunizations.
- Income: - The countable, net income of the assistance unit (AU) must be below established limits. These income limits are adjusted based on the number of individuals in the AU. For example, a family of three must have a gross income below $784 per month and countable assets of less than $1,000.
- Lifetime Limits: - Receipt of cash assistance is limited to 48 months in a lifetime. Extensions to this limit may be granted in cases of specific hardships, including domestic violence or physical or mental incapacity.
- Paternity: - The AU must cooperate in establishing the paternity of children. Paternity must be established at the time of application and whenever a child is added to an active TANF case.
- Work Requirement: All adult TANF recipients are subject to a work requirement. They are required to participate in work activities and training for a minimum of 30 hours per week. These work activities aim to help recipients gain the necessary skills and experience to find employment and achieve self-sufficiency.
- Cooperation with Office of Child Support Services: Cooperation with the Office of Child Support Services is mandatory for receiving TANF benefits. It's important to note that a family receiving TANF for ten months may not receive increased cash assistance for the birth of additional children.
Check Your Georgia EBT Card Balance
Georgia Birth Certificate Application Form
Georgia TANF Documents
When applying for Georgia TANF benefits, it's essential to provide the following documents
- Proof of identity
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualified immigrant status
- Social Security numbers for all applicants
- Proof of income, including pay stubs and income award letters
- Proof of expenses, such as child care receipts and medical bills
Georgia TANF Apply Online
Applicants can apply online by visiting the Georgia Department of Human Services website.
To get the application process started, you will need to contact a DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) office in the county where you live. To locate one, search for a DFCS office near you. You can also download a copy of the Georgia TANF application by clicking here.
- Form 297 – Application for Benefits (English standard font)
- Form 297A - Rights and Responsibilities (English standard font)
- Form 297 Large Print – Application for Benefits (English large print)
- Form 297A Large Print – Rights and Responsibilities (English large print)
- Spanish versions of the application forms are also available.
Helpline Number: If you need assistance or have questions, you can call 1-877-423-4746. If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or have difficulty speaking, you can call using Georgia Relay at 711.
TANF Application Forms
Download: Print an application and fill out as much information as possible and mail the paper application to your local DFCS office (a link to Georgia's Voter Registration Application is also included below).
- Form 297
– Application for Benefits - Form 297A
- Rights and Responsibilities - Georgia’s Voter Registration
- Form 297
Large Print – Application for Benefits - Form 297A
Large Print – Rights and Responsibilities - Forma 297
- Solicitud para beneficios - English Standard Font:
- Form 297 – Application for Benefits
- Form 297A - Rights and Responsibilities
- Georgia’s Voter Registration
- English Large Print:
- Form 297 Large Print – Application for Benefits
- Form 297A Large Print – Rights and Responsibilities
- Georgia’s Voter Registration
- Español (Spanish)/ Letra en en tamaño normal:
- Forma 297 - Solicitud para beneficios
- Forma 297A - Derechos y Responsabilidades
- Registro de votantes de Georgia
- Español (Spanish) Letra grande:
- Forma 297 – Solicitud para beneficios
- Forma 297A Letra grande - Derechos y Responsabilidades
- Registro de votantes de Georgia
- Notice of Free Interpretation Services
- All Form Download
How long does it take to get benefits?
- How much will I get? - Your income, resources, and family size determine benefit amounts. They will be able to give you specific information once we determine your eligibility.
- How will I get my benefits? - For Georgia TANF benefits, you will receive your benefits through an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to access your benefits.
- I was denied TANF benefits. What can I do? - State and local agencies are responsible for establishing the eligibility criteria and procedures that apply in their programs, not the Federal government. If you disagree with a decision regarding welfare benefits, you have the right to file an appeal. For more information about your state's appeals procedures, contact the GA TANF office.
FQAs
Q1: What is Georgia TANF, and who is it designed to assist?
A1: Georgia TANF, or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, is a program designed to provide monthly cash benefits to low-income families to help them meet essential needs such as rent, utilities, clothing, and transportation. It aims to assist families with children who are in financial need.
Q2: How can I determine if I'm eligible for Georgia TANF benefits?
A2: Eligibility for Georgia TANF benefits is based on several criteria, including income, citizenship status, age of children, deprivation, and more. To check if you meet the eligibility requirements, you can contact your local Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS) office or visit the DFCS website for detailed information.
Q3: Is there an application fee to apply for Georgia TANF?
A3: No, there is no application fee to apply for Georgia TANF benefits. The application process is free.
Q4: How do I apply for Georgia TANF benefits?
A4: To apply for Georgia TANF benefits, you should follow these steps:- Contact your local DFCS office in the county where you live. You can find a DFCS office near you on the DFCS website. Obtain an application form (Form 297) from the DFCS website or your local office. Fill out the application form with as much information as possible. Submit the completed application to your local DFCS office in person, by mail, or as instructed on the application.
Q5: When can I apply for Georgia TANF, and is there a deadline for applications?
A5: You can apply for Georgia TANF benefits at any time. There is no specific deadline for applications. You can submit an application as needed when you meet the eligibility criteria.
Q6: How long does it take to receive Georgia TANF benefits once I apply?
A6: It may take up to 45 days to receive Georgia TANF benefits after your application has been processed. The exact processing time may vary, so it's essential to apply as early as possible if you need assistance.
Q7: What documents do I need to provide when applying for Georgia TANF?
A7: When applying for Georgia TANF, you should be prepared to provide the following documents:- Proof of identity (ID or driver's license) Proof of U.S. citizenship or qualified immigrant status Social Security numbers for all requesting assistance Proof of income (e.g., pay stubs, award letters, child support payments) Proof of expenses (e.g., child care receipts, medical bills)
Q8: What happens if I am denied Georgia TANF benefits?
A8: If you are denied Georgia TANF benefits and disagree with the decision, you have the right to file an appeal. State and local agencies are responsible for establishing eligibility criteria, so you can contact the Georgia TANF office for information on the appeals process.