Benefits/Financial Services
Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)

TANF is an assistance program that pays a monthly money payment to families with children who are deprived of the support of one or both parents. A child is eligible for TANF if he or she meets these conditions:

1. Lives in Virginia
2. Is under age 18, or is 18 and expects to graduate from high school before reaching age 19
3. Lives with a parent or a person of close relationship, or in a foster home under special circumstances
4. Is a citizen of the U.S. or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence
5. Is deprived of parental support or care due to a parent's death, disability, continued absence from the home, or unemployment; and
6. Needs financial assistance.

How Much Assistance Can A Family Receive?

The difference between income the family receives monthly and the amount allowed by state standards determines the amount of the TANF payment.

How Long Can A Family Receive TANF?

An assistance unit including an adult is limited to sixty (60) months of TANF.

VIEW - The Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare Program is a program of employment opportunities to assist individuals in attaining the goal of self-sufficiency. All TANF recipients must participate in VIEW unless they meet an exemption.  Assistance Units required to participate in the VIEW program are limited to twenty-four (24) months of eligibility.

They are then ineligible for twenty-four (24) months.