The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides cash assistance to families with children based on income and family size for a period not to exceed 45 months total in a lifetime (with some exceptions due to age, disability, and hardship).
In September 2017, 12,032 Missouri families with 21,431 children were supported by cash assistance. The average monthly payment for September was $225.96 per family.
Cash assistance accounts for $38 million in federal TANF funds while an additional $26 million provides transitional work assistance for recipients.
The remaining TANF funds are sprinkled throughout the state budget in order to fund programs that advance the purpose of the TANF program.
