Maine TANF

Maine TANF is designed to provide temporary cash assistance to children and their parents while the family works toward self-sufficiency. ¹

It offers monthly payments based on family size, income, and housing costs, plus services like the Parents as Scholars (PaS) program for student parents.

Apart from cash aid, benefits include vouchers for child care and transportation assistance, employment support,² intended to meet the basic needs of the families.

FAQ

How do I qualify for TANF in Maine?

To qualify for TANF in Maine, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Be a resident of the state of Maine.
Be pregnant or have a child under age 19.
Be unemployed or under employed (working for very low wages).
Have countable assets below $2000.

How much TANF can I get in Maine?

In Maine, TANF benefits vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $917 per month.

Household Size	Payment
1	$436
2	$686
3	$917
4	$1,155
5	$1,386
6	$1,620
7	$1,856
8	$2,091

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 long can I get TANF in Maine?

Maine has a 60-month lifetime limit for receiving TANF, with some exceptions for the elderly, disabled persons, and children under age 18.

How do I apply for TANF in Maine?

Applications for Maine TANF can now be made online through My Maine Connection or in person at your local DHHS office .

Once your application is received, a DHHS caseworker will call you to arrange a face-to-face interview and an orientation meeting to determine your eligibility.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Office for Family Independence
(855) 797-4357

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

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Maine, 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 My Maine Connection (DHHS) at (855) 797-4357 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

What if I need emergency cash assistance in Maine?

Families who seek one-time, short-term assistance while searching for a job may choose to apply for Alternative Aid Assistance instead of ongoing TANF benefits.

Families may receive a voucher equal to up to three months of TANF benefits. Payments are made directly to a third-party provider to cover approved employment-related expenses, rather than issued as cash to the family.

Household Size	Payment
1	$1,308
2	$2,058
3	$2,751
4	$3,465
5	$4,158
6	$4,860
7	$5,568
8	$6,273

Sources & notes

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

Up until recently TANF benefits were limited to single parent families or 2-parent families in which one parent was disabled or unemployed. This rule has been changed so that all families with very low income and children at home, may now qualify for TANF. ↩
The Higher Opportunity for Pathways to Employment (HOPE) program, which is a component of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Maine provides financial assistance for low-income parents to pursue education or training beyond high school. ↩