Qualifying for TANF (Russian)

6/2/2008: (Russian)- Qualifying for TANF in Pennsylvania
Download MP3 Copyright NWLS 2008, all rights reserved.
Russian Text

Apply through COMPASS Website

Temporary Aid to Needy Families (Russian)

6/2/2008: (Russian) - TANF benefits in Pennsylvania
Download MP3 Copyright NWLS 2008, all rights reserved. Russian Text

Apply through COMPASS Website

Calificaciones y Requerimientos de TANF (Spanish)

6/2/2008: Programa de Ayuda Temporaria para para Familias Necesitadas (TANF) de Pennsylvania. Resumen de los requisitos, limites de ingreso y informacion en como los beneficios son procesados.
Download Spanish MP3 Copyright NWLS 2008. All rights reserved. Spanish Text

Apply through COMPASS

Resumen de Beneficios de TANF (Spanish)

6/2/2008: El resumen general de Beneficios de TANF en Pennsylvania. Download MP3 Copyright NWLS 2008. All rights reserved. Spanish Text

Apply through COMPASS

Qualifying for TANF

6/2/2008: Qualifying requirements of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) benefits in Pennsylvania, an overview of citizenship and non-citizenship requirements, how the benefits are processed, and time limitation periods that apply.
Download English Audio-MP3 Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.





Full Text:
To apply for Temporary Aid to Needy Families, or TANF, you must be a citizen of the United States and a resident of Pennsylvania. Certain non-citizens lawfully admitted for permanent residence may also be eligible for the program. You and your family members must also have Social Security Numbers or apply for one. After completing an application, you must schedule a face-to-face interview with a worker from the county assistance office in the county in which you live. If you have any problems obtaining verification, you should notify the Assistance Office about the problem.
TANF also has limits on the amount of money that you can have and still qualify for the program. Your home and first vehicle, however, are not counted as part of this limit.
Benefits will not start until all of the needed documents have been provided, and approval has been issued by the PA Department of Public Welfare.
TANF benefits usually do not last more than five years. In a small number of cases, TANF benefits can be extended for people who are close to completing a college degree or have circumstances that would prevent them from being successful in any of the programs which TANF offers.
Many of the requirements also vary depending on the ages of the children in the home or the family's home life situation. If you are caring for a disabled child or family member, you may be exempt from the work requirements. If there are issues with Domestic Violence, safeguards are also in place to protect the family and provide the assistance.
TANF does require that you file for support, such as child support or spousal support, if you are eligible. The amount of TANF you receive may be affected by this support.
TANF benefits are issued on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card, so no checks are mailed to you. You access the monies on the card the same way you would a regular debit card. The EBT card can be used at many ATM machines, typically without any additional fees.
To apply for TANF you can complete an application with PA Department of Public Welfare Office at a county assistance, or apply online using the COMPASS website at the link below.
The COMPASS site is available in many languages including English.

Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)

6/2/2008: A basic summary of Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF)Benefits in Pennsylvania, how to qualify, work requirements, how to obtain job-training or educational assistance, and information on how to apply for TANF. Copyright NWLS 2008. All rights reserved.

Download MP3




Full Text:
TANF, or Temporary Aid to Needy Families, is a welfare program that helps households with children by providing them with money when there is no other income in the home. Typically, Food Stamps and Medical Assistance are offered along with TANF. The amount of money you receive from TANF is based on the size of your household, and it is usually enough for some, but not all, of your basic needs.

In order to qualify for TANF, an adult must do some type of work activity for a certain number of hours each week. Typically, an adult must be in a work activity 30 hours per week, and for a household with two adults, a combined 55 hours of work activity each week. Work requirements may vary, depending on the situation in your home.

If people getting TANF cannot find a job, they can enroll in a job-training program or school of their choice. Welfare may pay for many of the costs for higher-education and provide TANF while you get up to a four-year college degree.

TANF also offers many benefits to help you get a job or to assist you in your education. These are called Special Allowances, and they help remove barriers that keep you from working or going to school. Special allowances include childcare costs, transportation, clothing or uniforms, union dues, and other needs.

To apply for TANF, you can complete an application with PA Department of Public Welfare at a county assistance office where you live, or apply online using the PA COMPASS link below.
The COMPASS site is available in many languages in addition to English.

Public Benefits in PA

8/9/07 - Information on Pennsylvania Public Benefits, including General Assistance, Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) and Food stamps. Host - Jennifer Fisher, NWLS Attorney; Guests - John Whitelaw, Attorney with Community Legal Services, & Jeannine Lawton-Knepper, NWLS Paralegal and Public Benefits Specialist. Download mp3

Click Player (>) twice to activate