Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

The TANF program provides temporary cash assistance and employment-related services to enable families with children to become self-supporting.  The program promotes economic independence through participation in the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare (VIEW) program, which offers employment-related activities, education, training and needed support services.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What information will I be required to provide?

An applicant must provide birth verifications, social security number, living with statements, up-to-date immunization records for pre-school age children, school enrollment for school age children, marriage/divorce documents and verification of earned and unearned income.  The intake worker will request any other required verifications once the face to face interview is completed. 

2. Do I have to be related to the child/children I am applying for?

The applicant must be a relative of a specified degree, i.e., mother, father, brother, sister, grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.  The degree of relationship must be substantiated via birth certificates or some other acceptable document to verify relationship. 

3. What is the processing time for TANF applications?

Policy requires that an application be processed within 30 days. 

4. When are checks mailed?

Checks are processed at the Fiscal Processing Unit in Richmond.  If the effective date is either the date of application or the first of the month following the month of application and benefits are authorized at the time of approval ADAPT will issue the payment 2 or 3 days later.  Subsequent ongoing monthly payments will be mailed on the first of the month to cover the needs for that month.   

5. Does support have to be pursued from an absent parent?

Support must be pursued from an absent parent and this is the responsibility of the Department of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE).  When an individual files an application for TANF the applicant must provide information on the absent parent and assign his/her right to child support to the Commonwealth of Virginia.  The absent parent is referred to DCSE for pursuit of support from the absent parent.  If paternity has not been established for a child the applicant must provide identifying information on the alleged father who will be referred to DCSE for the establishment of paternity and pursuit of support. 

6. Am I eligible for clothing vouchers for my school age children?

 No.  The TANF check includes an allowance for all basic needs including clothing.