If you’re an unlicensed caregiver, you may be eligible for federal financial support through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). We encourage you to apply for TANF to support you during the licensing process.
Eligibility
TANF is a federal program administered by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). It provides cash assistance and services to low-income families.
As a caregiver, you may be eligible for non-needy relative TANF regardless of your income status. This is sometimes called “child-only” TANF.
Note
You may be asked about your income on the non-needy relative TANF application. This is to find out if you qualify for other benefits programs, like SNAP or WIC.
Foster care payment reporting
You cannot get TANF benefits and foster care payments at the same time.
If you currently get foster care payments, you must report this as “other income” in your TANF application.
If you get TANF and then begin receiving foster care payments, you must report this change to DSHS by the 10th of the month after you get your first foster care payment.
If you don’t report, you may get an overpayment that you will have to pay back.
Note
Foster care payments are higher than non-needy TANF.
How to apply
Complete an application:
- By phone: 877-501-2233
- In person at your local Community Services Office
After you submit, you will need to:
- Cooperate with the collection of child support unless it is unsafe to do so (see the Good Cause exemption)
- Sign over child support rights to DSHS
- Complete an interview
Questions
Call DSHS Customer Service Contact Center at 877-501-2233 or visit your local Community Services Office.
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