Program Description
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.
General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a
resident of the State of Virginia. Also, a family must be financially needy
and must meet certain requirements. A child may be eligible if (s)he: Is
under age 18 , or if 18, will graduate from high school before age 19; Is
going to school regularly if he is between the ages of 5 and 18; Is living
with a parent, or other relative; Is a U. S. citizen, or an eligible
immigrant. A child will not be eligible if born to or adopted by a TANF
recipient more than 10 months after an applicant begins to receive TANF. The
Division of Child Support Enforcement will send all support collected for
this child directly to the family. This support will not count as income in
the TANF program.
Application Process
For more information, see the Program Contact Information below.
Program Contact Information
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 Web site to
locate the nearest department of social services and/or download an
Application for Benefits:
Application:
http://www.dss.state.va.us/form/index.html#financial
Local social service agency:
http://www.dss.state.va.us/localagency/index.html
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.
Managing Agency
Virginia
http://www.myvirginia.org
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