Pennsylvania TANF

Pennsylvania TANF provides very low-income families with temporary cash assistance to help cover basic living expenses such as food, shelter, and utilities.

Families who are eligible for TANF in Pennsylvania are categorically eligible to receive medical assistance through the state’s Medicaid program.

As a condition of eligibility, cash assistance recipients who aren’t exempt must complete and sign an agreement to engage in work activities designed to lead to employment.

FAQ

Who gets cash assistance in PA?

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

Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
Be a resident of the state of Pennsylvania.
Be pregnant or have a child under age 19.
Be unemployed or under employed (working for very low wages).
Meet income limit guidelines.¹

What is the income limit for TANF in PA?

In Pennsylvania, a family of three is considered “needy” if its countable income is less than $403 per month. The limit for countable resources is $1,000.

The income limits for families of different sizes are listed in the chart below.

Household Size	Income Limit
1	$298
2	$461
3	$587
4	$724
5	$859
6	$976
7	$1,097
8	$1,218

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 is TANF in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania has different benefit levels based on geographic location. ² The benefit levels listed here are for Group 2, which includes Philadelphia County, the county with the most TANF participants.

For example, a family of three in Philadelphia County with little or no income may receive up to $403 in cash benefits each month.

Household Size	Payment
1	$205
2	$316
3	$403
4	$497
5	$589
6	$670
7	$753
8	$836

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 much is diversion assistance in PA?

The maximum diversion assistance in PA is equal to 3 months of the payment standard for the appropriate family size based on the family’s financial need. ²

For a family of three, that’s about $1,209 in a 12-month period.

Household Size	Payment
1	$615
2	$948
3	$1,209
4	$1,491
5	$1,767
6	$2,010
7	$2,259
8	$2,508

How do I apply for cash assistance in PA?

You can apply for TANF online through COMPASS or by completing and submitting an application to your local County Assistance Office (CAO).

Once your application is approved, your benefits are deposited using Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) onto a “Pennsylvania Access Card” which can be used wherever EBT is accepted or to withdraw cash at an ATM.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Customer Service Center
(877) 395-8930

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

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Pennsylvania, 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 COMPASS (DHS) at (877) 395-8930 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

How long can I be on welfare in PA?

TANF is intended to be a temporary means of support while families work towards self-sufficiency. In Pennsylvania, receipt of cash assistance is limited to no more than 60 months in a lifetime.

However, you may continue to be eligible for cash assistance benefits after the five-year limit has ended through “Extended TANF”.

You may be eligible for Extended TANF if:

You have a family crisis.
You are caring for an individual who is disabled.
You have a child under the age of 12 months.
You are able to work, but can’t find a job.
You are working or in an approved training program.
You or a family member is a victim of domestic violence.
You have physical or mental condition that prevents you from working.

Sources & notes

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

Appendix A: Standard of Need ↩
Appendix B: Family Size Allowance ↩ ↩²