Eligibility Requirements

• The federal government distributes block grants to each state and U.S. territory. Each state has its own financial guidelines and requirements, but there are several rules that apply nationwide, according to TANF.us. Families can receive assistance for a maximum of five years (unless a person received it as a child; in that case, he can apply as an adult). Applicants must be 18 or older, be a U.S. citizen, have a Social Security number and have a child in the home. Children in the home who are over 18 must be in school and expect to graduate before 20. Some states allow pregnant women in their last trimester to apply.
  
  

Work Requirements

• Families receiving assistance must find work within the first two years, according to TANF.us. If there is a child (or children) under the age of six in the home, recipients must work at least 20 hours a week in order to qualify as working. If there is no child under the age of six, then recipients must work at least 30 hours a week.
  
  

How to Use

• TANF benefits are loaded onto a debit card provided by the State. The Electronics Benefit Transfer card is the same card food stamps are provided on, according to Maine Equal Justice Partners. You use the card at the register to buy items by swiping it and entering your PIN number. You can choose to receive cash back at the register or you can pull cash out of an ATM. Look for the "Quest" logo to make sure the ATM accepts your card. There may be a fee attached to withdrawing cash.
  
  

Other Financial Programs

• TANF isn't the only program that offers financial assistance, according to Benefits.gov. A variety of programs have been created to help you in all sorts of circumstances. You can get help with tuition costs, student loan repayment, housing costs, utility costs and more. You might even qualify for a small business loan or micro-loan. Eligibility requirements are different for each program. Visit the website to search for programs to help you.