How to Apply: TANF Cash Assistance in Illinois

Illinois · 5 Steps

Illinois families with a child at home, and pregnant people, who have very low income

Take it one step at a time. We're here to help.

Quick facts

Apply or ask a question1-800-843-6154

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Illinois Link card balance1-800-678-5465

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Who it's forFamilies with a child at home, and pregnant people, with very low income

Who counts as a childUnder 18, or under 19 if in high school full-time

What you getDepends on your family size and income. Up to $963 a month for a family of four

Savings limitNone. Savings and other assets do not count

How long it takesA decision within 45 days. Benefits start on the 30th day after you apply

Time limit60 months in a lifetime for adults

Step 1 of 5: See if you can get it
- You live in Illinois
- A child under 18 lives with you, or you are pregnant
- Very low income. Savings do not count
Good to know: You do not need a home address. Families without a home can qualify.
Good to know: Children who qualify can get TANF even if their parents do not.
Step 2 of 5: Get your papers ready
- Photo ID for you
- Social Security numbers, or proof you applied for one
- Birth certificates for your children
- Pay stubs or other proof of income
Good to know: Missing something? Apply anyway. IDHS will tell you what else it needs.
Good to know: You will be asked about your children's other parent, because TANF works with child support services.
Step 3 of 5: Apply your way
- Apply online at ABE (opens in a new tab)
- In person at a Family Community Resource Center
- Or on paper, by post or fax
- Call 1-800-843-6154
Good to know: Tick the box for cash assistance. You can apply for SNAP and Medicaid on the same form.
Important: Facing eviction, fire, flood, or domestic violence? Ask your centre about Crisis Assistance. You have to apply in person, and they must decide within 2 business days.
Step 4 of 5: Go to your Family Assessment
- A caseworker reviews your papers and income
- You make a plan together, called an RSP
- You talk about work, child care, housing and health
Important: Every cash programme requires this interview.
Good to know: The caseworker also asks about domestic violence. If it applies, some rules can be waived to keep you safe.
Step 5 of 5: After you are approved
- Your cash comes on an Illinois Link card
- Report your earnings every 6 months
- Follow your plan, starting after the first 30 days
Good to know: You do not have to do work activities in your first 30 days. Parents of a child under 1, and adults 60 or older, do not have to do them at all.
Important: If you do not follow your plan without a good reason, your check can be cut by 7.5%. You are offered a meeting first, and the full check comes back once you take part.
Good to know: You can appeal any decision within 60 days. Appeal within 10 days and your benefits usually stay the same while you wait.
Cash in hand, and medical coverage with it. You have done the hard part.

A how to guide on how to apply for TANF cash assistance in Illinois.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) gives monthly cash to families with children and to pregnant people who have very low income. In Illinois, it is run by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). It can help pay for rent, utilities, clothing, and other basic needs. Families on TANF also get medical coverage.

The Medicaid work requirements starting in 2027 do not change TANF. In fact, meeting TANF work rules can exempt you from the new Medicaid work requirement.

Check if you can get TANF

You may qualify if you:

Live in Illinois. You do not need a home address. Families experiencing homelessness can qualify.
Have a child under 18 living with you, or under 19 if they are in high school full-time. You must be the child's parent or a related caretaker (like a grandparent, aunt, or uncle).
Or are pregnant. A pregnant person with no other children can qualify once the pregnancy is verified.
Are a U.S. citizen or have a qualifying immigration status. This includes green card holders who have waited 5 years, refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, trafficking survivors, and Iraqi or Afghan special immigrants. Children who qualify can get TANF even if their parents do not.
Have very low income. There is no limit on savings or other assets.
Agree to work with child support services and sign a Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP).

2026 monthly payment levels (as of October 1, 2026)

This is the most TANF pays each month. Your payment is this amount minus your countable income.

People in family

Adult and children

Children only

$466

$350

$631

$473

$797

$598

$963

$722

$1,128

$846

$1,294

$971

Source: IDHS WAG 25-03-02 (3) TANF.

How income counts

When you apply: your income, after a work deduction, must be less than the payment level. The deduction brings the limit to about half the federal poverty line.
Once you are on TANF: only $1 of every $4 you earn is counted. This lets working families keep more of their check.
Child support collected for your family is passed to you and not counted against your TANF check.
Not counted: SNAP, children's earnings, housing vouchers, and guaranteed income pilot payments, among others.

Time limit: Adults can get TANF for 60 months (5 years) in their lifetime, including months in other states. Some months do not count, like months you work 30+ hours a week (35 combined for two parents), or are a full-time college student with a 2.5 GPA. You can ask in writing for more time in some cases, like a pending SSI claim or caring for a sick child.

Gather required documents / information

Be ready to show:

Social Security numbers for everyone you are applying for, or proof you applied for one.
Proof of identity for you, such as a photo ID.
Proof of your children's ages and relationship to you, such as birth certificates.
Proof of where you live, such as a lease, utility bill, or mail. If you are unhoused, tell your caseworker.
Proof of income for everyone in the family, such as pay stubs, unemployment, or Social Security letters.
Proof of pregnancy, if you are applying because you are pregnant.
Immigration documents for anyone who is not a U.S. citizen and is applying.
Information about the other parent of your children, if they do not live with you. This is used for child support.

If you are missing something, apply anyway. IDHS will tell you what else it needs.

Apply

Online at abe.illinois.gov. Check the box for cash assistance. You can apply for SNAP and Medicaid on the same application.
In person at your local Family Community Resource Center (FCRC). Find one with the IDHS Office Locator.
On paper:download the application and bring, mail, or fax it to your FCRC.
Questions? Call the IDHS Help Line at 1-800-843-6154.

Need help right away? If you are facing eviction, fire, flood, domestic violence, or lost cash, ask your FCRC about Crisis Assistance. You must apply in person. IDHS must decide within 2 business days (Illinois Legal Aid Online).

Attend your interview (Family Assessment)

All cash programs require an interview. For TANF, it is called a Family Assessment. A caseworker will:

Review your documents and income.
Talk with you about your goals, strengths, and anything making it hard to work, like child care, housing, health, or transportation.
Create your Responsibility and Services Plan (RSP) with you. This lists what you agree to do and what IDHS will do to help.
Screen for domestic violence. If it applies, some rules can be waived to keep you safe.
Tell you about the 60-month time limit.

After You Apply: What to Expect

A decision within 45 days. You will get a letter saying if you are approved or denied, and why.
If approved, benefits start on the 30th day after the date you applied.
Your cash comes on an Illinois Link card (the same card used for SNAP), or by direct deposit if you choose. Check your balance or payment date at 1-800-678-5465 or link.illinois.gov. You get 2 free ATM withdrawals a month. Link cash cannot be used at liquor stores, casinos, or adult entertainment businesses.
Medical coverage comes with TANF.
Work and training activities. You do not have to do work activities in your first 30 days. After that, you follow your RSP. Activities can include a job, job search, job training, community service, GED or English classes, or college. Help with child care, transportation, books, and fees may be available.
Who does not have to do work activities: parents with a child under age 1, and adults 60 or older.
Report your earnings every 6 months. Working families send a report with pay stubs after the 5th month of each 6-month period.
If you do not follow your RSP without a good reason, your check can be cut. For a family with an adult and children, the cut is 7.5%. You will be offered a meeting first to fix the problem, and your full check comes back once you take part. Not having child care is a good reason for single parents.
You can appeal any decision within 60 days. If you appeal within 10 days, your benefits usually stay the same while you wait.

Child care: If you are working or in training, you may also qualify for the Illinois Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

If you have any additional questions, you can email Mirza support, support@heymirza.com. We are happy to help in any way we can.

Last updated October 15, 2026

Back to Illinois

Quick facts

Step 1 of 5: See if you can get it

Step 2 of 5: Get your papers ready

Step 3 of 5: Apply your way