Florida Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)
Florida’s Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program is designed to provide temporary financial assistance to eligible families with children under age 18.
Pregnant women in their third trimester may also be eligible to receive TCA if unable to work. Otherwise, TCA eligibility is available in the 9th month of pregnancy.
Florida requires all work-eligible TCA participants, as a condition of eligibility, to register for work or participate in work related activities through Welfare Transition Program.
Through an array of support services and programs, WTP helps families “transition from welfare to work” by emphasizing self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.
FAQ
Who is eligible for cash assistance in Florida?
To qualify for cash assistance in Florida, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen, a legal immigrant or a qualified alien.
- Be a resident of the state of Florida.
- Be either unemployed, working part time or making a very modest salary.
- Have a child under age 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student.
- Have countable assets of less than 2,000.
What is the income limit for TANF in Florida?
Eligibility for TANF is based on the household’s income where net countable income, minus any allowable deductions, must not exceed the maximum possible payment for the family size as shown below.
For example, a family in Florida is considered “needy” when their net countable income is equal to or less than $303 a month for a family of three.
How much do I get for TANF in Florida?
For a family of three in Florida, the current maximum TCA payment is $303 a month 1 and may vary based upon the household’s net countable income.
Is there a time limit for TANF in Florida?
In Florida, cash assistance is limited to a lifetime total of 48 months as an adult, except for child only cases, which have no time limit.
An exception is made in cases of severe hardship, or if a family member has a medically verifiable disability.
How can I get cash assistance in Florida?
Application for cash assistance can be made online through ACCESS Florida — the self-service web-based application managed by the state of Florida or in person at the local Department of Children and Families office.
Eligibility is determined through the ACCESS Florida which has automated eligibility processes. Once your application is received, you will be contacted for an eligibility interview, usually within 5 days.
To check the status of your application, call (866) 762-2237
How do I get a one-time TANF payment in Florida?
If you need short-term help rather than long-term ongoing cash assistance, you may request for assistance through the Up-front Diversion program.
Up-front “cash” diversion is a one-time payment of up to $1,000 to help families facing an unexpected emergency in lieu of ongoing TCA payments.
Footnotes
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The maximum benefit payment for a family of three (the average size of a TANF assistance unit in Florida) has remained fixed at $303 since 1992. ↩