Kansas Successful Families Program
TANF, known in Kansas as the Successful Families Program, is the monthly cash assistance program for Kansas’ neediest families with children under age 18. 1
Kansas limits the receipt of cash assistance to 24 months only 2 but allows for “hardship extensions” of up to an additional 12 months for a total of 36 months.
Families receiving cash assistance are required to register for work or participate in work-related activities,3 unless otherwise exempt. This includes cooperating with child support requirement.
FAQ
Who is eligible for TANF in Kansas?
To be eligible for TANF in Kansas, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
- Be a resident of the state of Kansas.
- Be unemployed or working for very low wages.
- Be responsible for a child under age 19.
- Meet income and resource limits.
What is the income limit for TANF in Kansas?
In Kansas, TANF eligibility is very limited, with only very low-income Kansas families eligible to receive benefits. The income limit is set at 30% of the federal poverty level, 4 or less than $7,995 per year for a family of three. That is equivalent to less than $666 per month.
| Household Size | Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 | $391 |
| 2 | $529 |
| 3 | $666 |
| 4 | $804 |
| 5 | $941 |
| 6 | $1,079 |
| 7 | $1,216 |
| 8 | $1,354 |
How much is cash assistance in Kansas?
Under the Successful Families Program, the amount of cash benefit provided depends upon the family’s income, and the county where the family lives.
The chart below shows the highest cash benefit a family with little or no income may receive, varying by county population and cost of living. 5
| Household Size | Rural | Metro |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $224 | $267 |
| 2 | $309 | $352 |
| 3 | $386 | $429 |
| 4 | $454 | $497 |
| 5 | $515 | $558 |
| 6 | $576 | $619 |
| 7 | $637 | $680 |
| 8 | $698 | $741 |
For example, a family of three living in a high-cost, high-population county is eligible to receive $429 per month, whereas a family of three in a rural county may be eligible to receive $386 per month.
How do I apply for TANF in Kansas?
Families can apply for the program through the DCF Self-Service Portal or by contacting their local Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) office.
DCF Customer Service
(888) 369-4777
Footnotes
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The Grandparents as Caregivers (GPCG) program provides cash benefits to grandparents or other relatives raising children. ↩
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Kansas cut the time limit to 48 months in 2011, to 36 months in 2015, and to 24 months in 2016. ↩
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If you are looking for work, you can visit KansasWorks to search or apply for jobs. ↩
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Eligibility for TANF is limited to families whose income is less than 30% of the Federal Poverty Level ↩
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Kansas DCF, Maximum Cash Assistance Payments ↩