# TANF Benefits by State: Maximum Cash Assistance Compared

Maximum monthly TANF cash benefit, time limit and resource limit for a family of three in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, compiled from official state sources.

Canonical page: https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits

## Key findings

- The median maximum monthly TANF cash benefit for a family of three is $583 across 51 jurisdictions (the 50 states and the District of Columbia). (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#median-benefit)
- New Hampshire pays the highest maximum benefit, $1,366 a month, and Arkansas pays the lowest, $204 a month. The highest figure is 6.7 times the lowest. (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#benefit-range)
- 20 of 51 jurisdictions (39%) set the maximum monthly benefit for a family of three below $500. (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#benefit-below-500)
- 19 of 51 jurisdictions (37%) set the maximum monthly benefit for a family of three below 20% of the federal poverty guideline, which is $455 a month for 2026. (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#benefit-below-20-percent-poverty)
- Most jurisdictions (36 of 51, 71%) apply the federal limit of 60 months of assistance; 15 set a shorter limit. (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#time-limit)
- The shortest time limit is 12 months, in Arizona and Arkansas. (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#shortest-time-limit)
- 9 of 51 jurisdictions (18%) have no resource limit for most households. Among the other 42, the median limit is $2,625, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000. (https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits#resource-limit)

## Maximum monthly benefit, family of three, by band

| Band | Jurisdictions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Under $400 | 14 | 27% |
| $400 to $699 | 19 | 37% |
| $700 to $999 | 16 | 31% |
| $1,000 or more | 2 | 4% |

## Time limit

| Time limit | Jurisdictions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 2 | 4% |
| 24 months | 5 | 10% |
| 36 months | 4 | 8% |
| 45 months | 1 | 2% |
| 48 months | 3 | 6% |
| 60 months | 36 | 71% |

## All jurisdictions, highest benefit first

| Rank | Jurisdiction | Maximum monthly benefit | Time limit (months) | Resource limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $1,366 | 60 | $1,000 at application |
| 2 | California | $1,175 | 60 | $12,552 ($18,829 with an elderly or disabled member) |
| 3 | Hawaii | $985 | 60 | None for most households |
| 4 | North Dakota | $962 | 60 | $6,025 for a three-person household |
| 5 | Wyoming | $939 | 60 | $5,000 |
| 6 | Alaska | $923 | 60 | $2,000 |
| 7 | Maine | $917 | 60 | $10,000 per family |
| 8 | Connecticut | $915 | 36 | $6,000 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $865 | 60 | $5,000 |
| 10 | Massachusetts | $861 | 24 | None for most households |
| 11 | Vermont | $856 | 60 | $9,000 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $803 | 60 | $3,000 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $799 | 60 | $10,000 |
| 14 | Illinois | $797 | 60 | None for most households |
| 15 | New York | $789 | 60 | $2,500 in most cases |
| 16 | Maryland | $773 | 60 | None for most households |
| 17 | Montana | $725 | 60 | $3,000 |
| 18 | Washington | $706 | 60 | $12,000 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $672 | 60 | $2,000 |
| 20 | Utah | $662 | 36 | $2,000 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $653 | 48 | $2,500 at application |
| 22 | Ohio | $640 | 36 | None for most households |
| 23 | Colorado | $620 | 60 | None for most households |
| 24 | Virginia | $587 | 60 | None for most households |
| 25 | Nebraska | $584 | 60 | $4,000 for one parent, $6,000 for two adults |
| 26 | Michigan | $583 | 60 | $15,000 in cash, investments and retirement plans |
| 27 | New Jersey | $559 | 60 | $2,000 |
| 28 | New Mexico | $550 | 60 | $1,500 in liquid assets |
| 29 | West Virginia | $542 | 60 | $2,000 |
| 30 | Indiana | $513 | 60 | $1,000 at application |
| 31 | Oregon | $506 | 60 | $10,000 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $484 | 60 | None for most households |
| 33 | South Carolina | $449 | 24 | $2,500 |
| 34 | Kansas | $429 | 24 | $2,750 |
| 35 | Iowa | $426 | 60 | $2,000 per household |
| 36 | Delaware | $405 | 36 | $10,000 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $403 | 60 | $1,000 |
| 38 | Texas | $388 | 60 | $1,000 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $387 | 60 | $2,000 |
| 40 | Nevada | $386 | 24 | $10,000 |
| 41 | Arizona | $347 | 12 | $2,000 |
| 42 | Alabama | $344 | 60 | None for most households |
| 43 | Kentucky | $341 | 60 | $10,000 |
| 44 | Idaho | $309 | 24 | $5,000 |
| 45 | Florida | $303 | 48 | $2,000 |
| 46 | Missouri | $292 | 45 | $1,000 at application |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $292 | 60 | $2,250 |
| 48 | Georgia | $280 | 48 | $1,000 |
| 49 | North Carolina | $272 | 60 | $3,000 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $260 | 60 | $2,000 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $204 | 12 | $3,000 |

## Questions

### What is the median TANF maximum benefit for a family of three?

The median maximum monthly TANF cash benefit for a family of three is $583 across 51 jurisdictions (the 50 states and the District of Columbia). 20 of 51 jurisdictions (39%) set the maximum monthly benefit for a family of three below $500.

### Which states pay the highest and lowest TANF benefits?

New Hampshire pays the highest maximum benefit, $1,366 a month, and Arkansas pays the lowest, $204 a month. The highest figure is 6.7 times the lowest.

### How many states have a TANF resource limit?

9 of 51 jurisdictions (18%) have no resource limit for most households. Among the other 42, the median limit is $2,625, ranging from $1,000 to $15,000.

## Suggested citation

Single Mother Guide. "TANF Benefits by State: Maximum Cash Assistance Compared." November 2026. https://singlemotherguide.com/research/tanf-benefits