Temporary Cash Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance to needy families with dependent children when available resources do not fully address the family's needs and while preparing program participants for independence through work. Adults with dependent children applying for or receiving TANF must meet financial and technical eligibility requirements. Conditions of eligibility include cooperation with child support, participation in work activities and compliance with substance abuse provisions. Earned and unearned income cannot exceed the benefit level paid for the assistance unit size and assets are limited to $2,000.00. Sanctions may be imposed for program noncompliance.

General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the District of Columbia, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a US national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income, and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed.

Complete and Accurate Information
You must give complete, accurate, and truthful information. If you refuse to give needed information, your eligibility for assistance may be denied. If you knowingly give false, incorrect or incomplete information, or fail to report changes, you could lose your benefits and be prosecuted, fined and/or imprisoned. If you knowingly give false, incorrect, or incomplete information in order to help someone else receive benefits, you could be prosecuted for fraud.

Verification of Information
The information that you give may be matched against federal, state, and local records including the Department of Employment Services and the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Income and Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) to determine if it is correct, accurate, and truthful. As a condition of eligibility you must apply for and cooperate with the agency in obtaining a social security number for yourself and the persons for whom you are applying for assistance. In addition, your social security number will be used to verify your identity, prevent receipt of duplicated benefits, and make required program changes. This system uses your social security number to verify wages and salary, unemployment benefits, and unearned income by using records from the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration. Any difference between the information you give and these records will be investigated and may require a home visit. Information from these records may affect your eligibility and benefit amount.