Welfare Programs May 3, 2016

TANF Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federal block grant program that provides temporary financial assistance and work opportunities to needy families. The program is for needy children and their caregivers. It is not for single adults. These are national figures.

TANF in Texas 59,976 Texans currently receive TANF benefits 57,531 are children $79 is the average monthly payment per recipient Keep in mind that the program also provides child care, job training, etc. Most (55 %) of the money comes from the federal government.

Income Limits A family of three must have assets valued at less than $2,000 and a vehicle valued at no more than $8,500 to qualify. Families must include at least one child or a pregnant woman to qualify. Adults are required to work or participate in work activities. Since 2005, the average number of TANF recipients in Texas has fallen by 60 percent.

TANF recipients The average TANF recipient in Texas is a 30-year-old African American or Latino woman caring for one or two children under the age of 11. She has neither a high school education nor job training and does not have reliable transportation. Families are limited to no more than five years of cash assistance lifetime.

TANF in Texas Welfare benefits in Texas are among the least generous in the nation. Undocumented persons are not eligible for welfare benefits in Texas.

TANF Spending Per Capita

Food Stamps In March 2016, 3.8 million Texans received Food Stamp assistance. The average monthly benefit per person was $271 paid to recipients through a Lone Star Card, which resembles a debit card. A household of three may have a household income no greater than $25,727 a year to qualify for assistance.

Recipients In order to qualify for food stamps, you must be a resident of the state of Texas and fall into one of two groups: (1) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $2,001, or (2) those with a current bank balance (savings and checking combined) under $3,001 who share their household with a person or persons age 60 and over, or with a person with a disability (a child, your spouse, a parent, or yourself). More than half of Food Stamp recipients are children.

SNAP Participation Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is the new name for food stamps.

What You Have Learned What is TANF? What services does it offer and who does it benefit? What is SNAP? What services does it offer and who does it benefit? How do welfare programs in Texas compare with other states?