Maryland Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA)

Maryland’s 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, all 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” if its 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 $773.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$348
2	$612
3	$773
4	$926
5	$1,074
6	$1,180
7	$1,327
8	$1,459

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 cash assistance will I get in MD?

In Maryland, TANF benefits vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $773 per month in cash assistance.

Household Size	Payment
1	$348
2	$612
3	$773
4	$926
5	$1,074
6	$1,180
7	$1,327
8	$1,459

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 get cash assistance in Maryland?

Apply in person at your nearest local DSS office 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 able-bodied applicants who aren’t exempt are required to seek employment and fully participate in work-related activities from the day they apply for benefits.

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

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Maryland, 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 myMDTHINK (DHS) at (800) 332-6347 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

What is the Welfare Avoidance Grant in Maryland?

Families who need only short-term assistance may consider applying for Welfare Avoidance Grant (WAG) instead of receiving ongoing Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) benefits.

WAG provides a one-time, nonrecurring payment to help families facing an immediate financial crisis either avoid going on welfare or transition off welfare.

Eligible families may receive a lump sum payment equal to three months of TCA benefits or about $2,319 for a family of three. This assistance is limited to one payment per year.

There is no standalone application for WAG. In most cases, the case manager assesses eligibility for WAG as part of the initial application process for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA).

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.

Maryland Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(800) 332-6347

Sources & notes

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

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). ↩