Who is eligible?
To be able to receive TANF, you must:
- Be a parent or step-parent living with your children who are age 18 or younger OR
- Be a relative (grandparent, aunt/uncle, brother/sister, cousin, etc.) who is the primary caretaker of a child age 18 or younger and the child’s parents are not in the home or supporting the child. The child must live with you. OR
- Be pregnant AND
- Live in Illinois
- Be a U.S. citizen or meet immigration requirements.
- Have extremely low or no income,
- The parents and the children have low assets (one person - $2000; 2 persons - $3000; and 3 or more persons - $3000 for the first 2 people, plus $50 for each additional person)
- If required, be willing to look for work, or participate in training programs to become employed.
Where to apply?
You apply by going to the local Illinois Department of Human Service’s Family Community Resource Center (FCRC) in your area or you can apply online or go online to print an application (en Espanol) that you can mail to the office in your area. Click here to find the office in your area.
What happens after you apply?
You will need to be interviewed in person at the local IDHS office. After you apply a letter is sent to you that tell you the date and time of your interview. The interview is to be scheduled and held within 14 calendar days of when the state receives your application. You will need to bring information about your income, assets (checking, savings, retirement accounts, etc.) to the interview as well as your children’s birth certificates. You will also need to provide proof the children live with you.
If you cannot go into the office for an interview due to health problems, conflict with work hours or lack of child care, please provide this information on the application (there is a section on page 3 that you mark) and ask for the interview to be done by phone. Make sure you give the phone number where you can be called.
Once the application is received by the state, they have 30-45 days to make a decision on whether or not you are eligible for cash benefits.
Click here (English / Espanol) if you want a brochure with more information about what happens after you apply.
TANF Crisis Assistance
If you are homeless due to a fire, flood or natural disaster; left your home due to domestic violence; or have been evicted for any reason, ask about TANF Crisis Assistance. Because of the crisis you may be able to be interviewed and receive TANF cash help sooner. You have to apply for both TANF cash and the Crisis Assistance at the same time. It is best to actually bring in the application for TANF and ask for Crisis Assistance. See below to obtain a copy of the Crisis Assistance application.