Maryland Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)

Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) is a time-limited program that assists needy families with children through a combination of cash assistance and work opportunities.

Conditions of eligibility include cooperation with child support, participation in work activities and compliance with substance abuse provisions.

Unless exempt, adults must participate in work activities for a minimum number of hours per week, ¹ including job searches, employment, training, or education programs.

FAQ

Who is eligible for cash assistance in Maryland?

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

Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, or permanent resident.
Be a resident of Maryland.
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.
Be either under-employed, unemployed or about to become unemployed.
Meet program income guidelines .

What is the income limit for TANF in Maryland?

In Maryland, a family is considered “needy” when their countable income is equal to or less than the benefit level paid for the family size. For example, a family of three is eligible if its monthly income, less the earnings disregard (if applicable), is less than $624.

Family Size	Income Limit
1	$282
2	$559
3	$624
4	$755
5	$875
6	$962
7	$1,081
8	$1,191

The amounts shown represent the income eligibility thresholds by family size. Families with income within these limits may be eligible for benefits.

How much cash assistance will I get in MD?

How much cash assistance you get in Maryland largely depends upon your family’s income and size. Maryland pays a maximum of $624 per month for eligible families of three with little or no income.

Family Size	Payment
1	$282
2	$559
3	$624
4	$755
5	$875
6	$962
7	$1,081
8	$1,191

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

Welfare Avoidance Grant

Families who need only short-term assistance may consider to apply for a Welfare Avoidance Grant (WAG) instead of monthly TCA benefits.

WAG provides a short-term, non-recurrent, cash payment designed to help families with children either avoid or transition off Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA).

Eligible families may receive a lump sum payment equivalent to three months of TCA benefits or more but it is limited to one payment per year.

How do I get cash assistance in Maryland?

Apply in person at your local DSS office ² or file an application online through Maryland Benefits which is a web-based screening and application tool for all Marylanders to apply for benefits.

All work eligible applicants are required to seek employment and participate fully in work requirement activities from the day they apply for benefits.

How long can I get TCA in Maryland?

TCA has a 60 month lifetime limit for recipients. Recipients may go on and off of TCA as often as needed, but may not exceed the 60 months of benefits unless otherwise exempt due to hardship.

For more information on Temporary Cash Assistance in Maryland, call
Maryland Department of Human Services
(800) 332-6347

For single parents with a child under age 6, the minimum work requirement is 20 hours per week or 30 hours per week for all other households (e.g., single parents with older children, single adults with no children). ↩
Locate a local DHSS office in your area. ↩