Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a federal program administered by the Office of the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, provides financial assistance and support services to families with low incomes who have children. Its primary goal is to help families achieve self-sufficiency through job preparation strategies, work, and financial education. Although TANF is funded by the federal government, there are no set federal eligibility criteria; instead, states have the flexibility to establish their own eligibility requirements and benefit levels. This means the rules governing income limits, asset thresholds, and work requirements can vary from state to state, reflecting local economic conditions and policy priorities.

States have significant discretion in establishing eligibility for their TANF cash assistance programs. Federal law mandates that TANF cash assistance is available only to needy families with children, and it also permits states to extend eligibility to pregnant individuals without other children; about two-thirds of states choose to do so. However, there is no federal definition of "needy," so each state determines its own policies for assessing financial need within its TANF program. Most states set income eligibility limits that are well below the federal poverty line, and nearly all impose restrictions on the amount of assets families can have while still qualifying for assistance.  

More information about TANF