Illinois TANF

TANF is one of Illinois’ cash assistance programs that provides temporary financial assistance for pregnant women and families with children.

The program provides monthly cash benefits to help cover basic needs such as food, shelter, utilities, and other non-medical expenses, up to a total limit of 60 months.

Most TANF families are expected to register for work or participate in work activities as a condition of receiving cash benefits, unless otherwise exempt. ¹

FAQ

Who is eligible for TANF in Illinois?

To be eligible for TANF in Illinois, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, or permanent resident.
Be pregnant or have a child under age 19 who lives with them. A child who is 18 must be a full-time high school student.
Live in Illinois.
Be either under-employed, unemployed or about to become unemployed.
Have countable income within certain limits .
Develop a Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP).

What is the income limit for TANF in Illinois?

In Illinois, a family’s countable income must be below the monthly TANF payment level for that family size to qualify for benefits. For example, a family of three may be eligible if its monthly countable income, less the earnings disregard (a 75% disregard), ² is at or below $797.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$466
2	$631
3	$797
4	$963
5	$1,128
6	$1,294
7	$1,460
8	$1,625

The amounts shown represent income eligibility thresholds by household size. Families with income at or below these limits may be eligible for TANF benefits.

How much is TANF benefit in Illinois??

In Illinois, TANF benefits vary by household size, countable income, and allowable deductions. A family of three with no income may receive up to $797 per month.

Household Size	Payment
1	$466
2	$631
3	$797
4	$963
5	$1,128
6	$1,294
7	$1,460
8	$1,625

The amounts shown represent the maximum monthly cash benefits available to families with no countable income. Actual payments may vary based on a family’s income and other eligibility factors.

How do I apply for TANF in Illinois?

You may apply for TANF in person at a local DHS office ³ that serves the area where you live or online through Illinois’ Application for Benefits Eligibility (ABE) .

If your application is approved, you will get your cash benefits on an Illinois LINK card that you can use at any authorized retailer or to get cash from an ATM.

Illinois Department of Human Services
DHS Customer Helpline
(800) 843-6154

What documents do I need to apply for TANF in Illinois?

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Illinois, you may be asked to provide all or some of the following documents:

A valid photo ID
Social Security numbers for the people applying (or proof that you have applied for them)
Proof of residency (where you live), such as a lease or a utility bill
Proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
Proof of your children’s identity and their relationship to you, such as birth certificates
Proof of earned and unearned income for everyone in your household, such as pay stubs
Proof of other resources, such as bank statements, if the state asks for them
Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying while pregnant
Information about the children’s other parent, such as a name and last known address, which states use for child support
Any additional documents needed to verify your household’s situation

Each state sets its own rules, and what you need may depend on your situation. If you are not sure what to bring, contact ABE (DHS) at (800) 843-6154 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

If you are a single parent with a child under age 6, you must work or participate in a work activity for at least 20 hours per week or no fewer than 35 hours per week for two-parent families. ↩
The state calculates a family’s adjusted income by applying a substantial earned income deduction, under which 75% of gross earnings are disregarded, before determining eligibility and benefit amounts. ↩
Search for a DHS Office by selecting your county, and, for Cook County, your ZIP Code. ↩