Montana TANF

Montana TANF is a time-limited cash assistance program for needy families with children under the age of 18 as well as pregnant women in their last trimester.

Apart from cash benefits, eligible families may also receive Medicaid coverage, child care assistance for working families¹ and are categorically eligible for SNAP benefits.

As a condition of eligibility, work-eligible recipients are required to participate in the Pathways Program for a required number of hours per week. ²

If you are a single mother with a child under age 6, you are expected to participate in approved work activities for at least 27 hours per week.

FAQ

Who qualifies for TANF in Montana?

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

Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, or permanent resident
Live in Montana
Be responsible for a child under 19 years of age
Be unemployed or under employed with very low wages
Have income and assets below TANF limits

What is the income limit for TANF in Montana?

In Montana, a family of three is considered “needy” if its gross countable income is less than $1,465 per month. The limit for countable resources is $3,000.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$859
2	$1,162
3	$1,465
4	$1,768
5	$2,070
6	$2,373
7	$2,676
8	$2,979

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 does TANF pay in Montana?

TANF benefits vary by household size, income, and available resources. For example, a family of three in Montana with no income may receive up to $725 per month in cash benefits.

Household Size	Payment
1	$425
2	$575
3	$725
4	$875
5	$1,025
6	$1,175
7	$1,325
8	$1,475

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 Montana?

The most convenient way to apply for TANF in Montana is through apply.mt.gov ³. Applications are also accepted at a local Office of Public Assistance (OPA).

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
Office of Public Assistance
(888) 706-1535

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

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Montana, 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 APPLY Montana (DPHHS) at (888) 706-1535 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:

Each family receiving child care assistance is required to pay a $10 per month co-payment directly to their child care provider(s). ↩
Pathways Program, formerly known as Work Readiness Component (WoRC), is the employment and training component of Montana TANF. ↩
In order to use this service, you will need to have ePass Montana account. ePass Montana is a convenient and secure way to access Montana government services. If you do not yet have an account, you must create one. ↩