Texas families with children and very little income can apply for TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) cash assistance through YourTexasBenefits.com, by calling 2-1-1, by mail, or in person at a local HHSC office. Texas has some of the strictest TANF income limits and lowest cash grants in the country, with monthly payments typically between $263 and $418 for a family of three, so most applicants also qualify for SNAP, Medicaid, or CHIP at the same time and should apply for all of them together.
TANF is a state-run program funded with federal block grant dollars, and the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) sets the rules for who qualifies and how much they receive. Unlike SNAP or Medicaid, TANF cash assistance in Texas is limited to families with children (or pregnant women), capped at a 60-month lifetime limit, and tied to strict work requirements. Here is exactly what it takes to qualify and how to get through the application.
What Is TANF in Texas?
TANF provides a small monthly cash payment to help very low-income families with children cover rent, utilities, clothing, and other basic needs. In Texas, the program is administered by HHSC, and applications are processed through the same YourTexasBenefits.com portal used for SNAP, Medicaid, and CHIP.
Texas has not updated its TANF income limits in roughly 25 years, which is why the state's thresholds and grant amounts are among the lowest in the nation. The maximum TANF grant in Texas is set at approximately 17 percent of the federal poverty level, far below the national average for cash assistance programs.
Texas TANF Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for TANF in Texas, a household generally must meet all of the following:
- Have a child under 18 living in the home (or be pregnant), or be a relative caring for a related child
- Be a Texas resident
- Be a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant (certain immigration statuses qualify after a waiting period)
- Have very low countable income, based on household size and composition
- Have countable resources of $1,000 or less (cash, checking, and savings balances)
- Cooperate with child support enforcement, including identifying the other parent when applicable
- Agree to work requirements through the Choices employment program, unless exempt
Resource (Asset) Limit
Texas caps countable resources at $1,000 per household. Checking and savings balances, cash on hand, and most other liquid assets count toward this limit. One vehicle receives a partial exemption: the first $4,650 of a vehicle's value is excluded, and only the value above that amount counts toward the $1,000 cap. Because the limit is so low, HHSC will ask for three months of bank statements for every account in the household during the application process.
Texas TANF Income Limits and Grant Amounts (2026)
Texas uses two separate income tests. The first determines whether a household is poor enough to qualify at all (the recognizable needs test). The second determines the actual size of the monthly payment (the budgetary needs test). Both limits increase slightly with household size, and both are updated by HHSC each October 1.
Effective October 1, 2026, the figures for a household of three are:
| Household type (3 people) | Max monthly countable income to qualify | Maximum monthly cash grant |
|---|
| Child-only case | approximately $130 | approximately $263 |
| One parent or caretaker in the home | approximately $188 | approximately $382 |
| Two parents or caretakers in the home | approximately $206 | approximately $418 |
For a household of four, the maximum monthly countable income to qualify is approximately $154 for a child-only case, $226 with one parent or caretaker in the home, and $231 with two parents or caretakers in the home. Grant amounts for larger households follow the same general pattern, increasing modestly per additional person, but they remain well below $500 a month for most families. Because these figures are revised annually and vary by case type, confirm the exact current amount for your household size with HHSC or during the application itself.
The actual payment a family receives is the grant amount minus any countable income the household already has, so a family with some earnings will receive less than the maximum listed above.
Texas TANF Work Requirements
Adults receiving TANF in Texas must participate in the Choices program, run by the Texas Workforce Commission, unless they qualify for an exemption (such as caring for a child under 1, being disabled, or being of retirement age). Work requirement hours are:
- Single-parent households: at least 30 hours per week of qualifying work activities
- Two-parent households: 35 to 55 hours per week combined, depending on whether the family receives subsidized child care through TWC
Qualifying activities include unsubsidized or subsidized employment, job search, vocational training, and certain education programs. Failing to meet work requirements without an approved exemption can result in a reduced grant or loss of benefits.
Texas TANF Time Limits
TANF comes with a strict federal lifetime limit of 60 months (5 years) per caretaker or second parent. Once a caretaker reaches 60 months of TANF receipt, the entire household becomes ineligible for cash assistance, even if a child in the home would otherwise still qualify.
Texas also applies shorter state time limits based on an adult's education and work history, typically 12, 24, or 36 months before a caretaker must demonstrate progress toward self-sufficiency or lose eligibility. These state limits are separate from, and generally shorter than, the federal 60-month cap.
How to Apply for TANF in Texas: Step-by-Step
Step 1: Gather your documents.
Before starting, collect:
- Proof of identity (driver's license, state ID, or similar) for the applicant
- Social Security numbers (or proof of application) for everyone in the household
- Proof of Texas residency (utility bill, lease, or similar)
- Proof of all income sources for the past 30 days (pay stubs, award letters)
- Three months of bank statements for every checking and savings account
- Birth certificates for children in the household
- Immigration documents, if applicable
- Child support or custody information, if applicable
Step 2: Choose how to apply.
You can apply for TANF in Texas through any of these channels:
- Online: Create an account and apply at YourTexasBenefits.com under "Apply for Benefits." This is the fastest method and lets you upload documents and track your case status.
- By phone: Call 2-1-1 (select your language, then option 2) to apply over the phone with a caseworker's help. If you cannot get through, try 1-877-541-7905, or 1-877-787-8999 as a backup.
- By mail: Print and complete the HHSC combined application and mail it to HHSC, PO Box 149024, Austin, TX 78714-9968.
- By fax: Send your completed application to 1-877-447-2839.
- In person: Visit your local HHSC benefits office. You can find the nearest office through YourTexasBenefits.com or by calling 2-1-1.
Step 3: Complete the interview.
After you submit your application, HHSC will schedule an eligibility interview, usually by phone. Be ready to verify the information on your application and answer questions about your household, income, and resources.
Step 4: Submit verification documents.
Upload or mail the supporting documents listed above. Missing documents are the most common reason applications are delayed, so submit everything requested as soon as possible.
Step 5: Wait for a decision.
HHSC generally has up to 45 days to process a TANF application and notify you of its decision. You will receive a letter explaining whether you were approved, your grant amount, and your benefit start date, or the reason for any denial.
Step 6: Set up your Lone Star Card.
If approved, TANF cash benefits are loaded onto a Lone Star Card, the same debit-style card Texas uses for SNAP benefits, with funds typically available on a set schedule each month.
One-Time TANF for Relatives (OTTANF)
Relatives who take in a child outside the formal foster care system, such as a grandparent raising a grandchild, may qualify for One-Time TANF for Relatives. This provides a single payment of up to $1,000, available once per lifetime per relative, to help cover the immediate costs of taking in a child. The application process runs through the same YourTexasBenefits.com portal and HHSC offices as ongoing TANF.
Other Programs to Apply for at the Same Time
Because TANF income limits are so low, most households that qualify also qualify for SNAP, Medicaid, or CHIP, and in many cases for WIC and LIHEAP as well. The YourTexasBenefits.com application screens for multiple programs at once, so apply for all of them in the same application rather than submitting separate requests. Note that Texas has not expanded Medicaid, so adults without children in the home generally do not qualify for Medicaid regardless of income. You can read more about how Texas benefit programs work together on our Texas benefits page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does TANF pay in Texas?
For a household of three, Texas pays a maximum monthly cash grant of approximately $263 for a child-only case, $382 with one parent or caretaker in the home, and $418 with two parents or caretakers in the home. These are maximum amounts; households with any countable income receive less, since the grant is reduced dollar for dollar against income the family already has.
How long does it take to get approved for TANF in Texas?
HHSC generally has up to 45 days to process a TANF application and issue a decision. Applications with all required documents submitted upfront, and no need for additional verification, are often processed faster.
What is the income limit for TANF in Texas?
Texas uses two income limits depending on household composition. For a family of three, the limit is approximately $130 a month for a child-only case, $188 with one parent in the home, and $206 with two parents in the home. These are among the lowest TANF income limits in the country and have not changed significantly in about 25 years.
Can I apply for TANF and SNAP at the same time in Texas?
Yes. The YourTexasBenefits.com application lets you apply for TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, and CHIP together in one submission. Most families who qualify for TANF also qualify for SNAP because the income limits for TANF are much lower than SNAP's.
What is the asset limit for TANF in Texas?
Texas caps countable resources at $1,000 per household. Checking and savings account balances count toward this limit. One vehicle is partially exempt, with the first $4,650 of its value excluded from the resource count.
How long can you receive TANF in Texas?
There is a federal lifetime limit of 60 months (5 years) per caretaker or second parent. Texas also applies shorter state time limits, typically 12, 24, or 36 months depending on the adult's education and work history, before eligibility is reassessed.
Do I have to work to get TANF in Texas?
Most adult recipients must participate in the Choices employment program unless they qualify for an exemption. Single parents must complete at least 30 hours per week of qualifying work activities, and two-parent households must complete 35 to 55 hours per week combined.
What documents do I need to apply for TANF in Texas?
You will need proof of identity, Social Security numbers for household members, proof of Texas residency, proof of income for the past 30 days, three months of bank statements for every account, birth certificates for children, and immigration documents if applicable.
