Tennessee Families First

Families First is Tennessee’s welfare program that provides temporary cash assistance to eligible low-income families with children.

Cash assistance is generally limited to a lifetime maximum of 60 months, with certain exceptions for elderly or disabled adults and children under age 18.

To be eligible for the program, you must sign a Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) which among other things, you must agree to:

1. work or participate in work-related activities for 30 hours a week, unless exempt;
2. cooperate with child support requirements;
3. ensure that your children stay in school and receive regular health checks and immunization shots.

FAQ

Do I qualify for Families First?

In order to qualify for Families First, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

1. Be a U.S. citizen or legal alien, or permanent resident who live in Tennessee.
2. Be either pregnant, disabled, elderly, or uninsurable.
3. Be responsible for a child under 19 years of age.
4. Be unemployed or under employed (working for very low wages).
5. Have an income equal to or less than the consolidated need standards  as shown below.

What is the income limit for TANF in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, a family of three is considered “needy” if its gross countable income is less than $2,866 per month. The limit for countable resources is $2,000.

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

How much is TANF in Tennessee?

TANF benefits in Tennessee vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $387 per month.

How do I sign up for Families First?

Tennesseans may apply for Families First benefits at the local Department of Human Services county office ¹ or online through One DHS Customer Portal  for faster processing.

Families First cash assistance benefits are issued and accessed electronically using a Benefit Security Card or EBT Card which can be used wherever EBT is accepted.

Tennessee Department of Human Services
Family Assistance Customer Service
(866) 311-4287

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

When you apply for TANF cash assistance in Tennessee, 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 One DHS (DHS) at (866) 311-4287 and they can tell you exactly what your application requires.

Families First Diversion Payments

If you need short-term help rather than long-term ongoing cash assistance, you may request for one lump-sum payment through the Families First Diversion Payments.

The diversion payment amount will be calculated on a case-by-case basis based on the amount of the monthly benefit you are eligible to receive, capped at a maximum of twelve (12) months.

Families who receive a diversion payment become ineligible for monthly TANF cash assistance for a set period. However, they may still qualify for SNAP (food assistance) and Medicaid during that time.