TANF is a monthly cash assistance program with work requirements that temporarily benefits pregnant women and low-income families with children under 18 or with children age 18 who attend school full-time.

TANF also offers the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) program to enable grandparents to provide care for their grandchildren in their homes. To receive GRG, you must first be approved to receive TANF cash assistance for the grandchild.

  • Gather What You’ll Need

    You may be requested to provide information about yourself and anyone in your household applying for benefits, including:

    • Proof of Identity
    • Date of Birth
    • Social Security Number
    • Citizenship or immigration status
    • Employment status and proof of income (Examples: pay stubs, child support payments, or income award letters
    • Benefits history
    • Information about available financial resources, including banking information, account numbers, vehicle information, or life insurance policies.
    • Information about shelter and utility expenses
    • If pregnant, the name and address of your baby’s father
    • Criminal background, if any (Examples: probation, parole, felony conviction)

    See program eligibility information.

    Note: DHS will first attempt to verify citizenship/immigration status and income information through electronic data sources. Please let them know if they cannot verify through electronic data sources and if you need help getting this information.

    You only must provide Social Security Numbers (SSN) and citizenship or immigration status for persons who want to apply for benefits. DHS will use this information to check the income and eligibility verification system (IEVS). They will also match your information against other federal, state, and local agencies to verify your income and eligibility, track wage information, and track your participation in work activities. If a household member does not want to inform DHS about their SSN, citizenship, or immigration status, other household members may still receive benefits.

  • Apply for Benefits

    Choose your application:

    Submit your application online, by mail, or in person.

  • Interview with a Case Manager

    Anyone may submit a TANF application, but a DFCS case manager must interview the parent, caretaker, or pregnant individual.

    • Once your application is filed, an appointment with a DFCS case manager will be scheduled. The appointment date and time will be sent to you by mail. If you already have a Georgia Gateway account, you can check your account to see if an appointment has been scheduled in the “My Notices” section of the Gateway website.
    • Be ready to answer questions and have proof of your household's income, resources, rent or mortgage, and utility costs available.
    • If you don't have what's asked for, let your case manager know. DFCS allows you to give that information to your local office up to 10 days after the interview.

    Cooperation with the Georgia Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) is required to receive TANF benefits unless good cause can be established.

  • Recieve a Decision Notification

    You will get a notification about the decision by mail. 

    You can also check your benefits status by calling the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877-423-4746. If you have a Gateway account, you can check your benefits status by logging into Georgia Gateway.

    • If you forgot or misplaced your Gateway password or your Gateway user ID, please refer to the Gateway website for instructions:

    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​If you are eligible for TANF, benefits will be provided from the date the application is approved.

    • Your income, resources, and family size determine benefit amounts. Once DHS determines your eligibility, your caseworker can give you specific information about benefit amounts.
    • You will get a Way2Go Debit Mastercard to access your TANF benefits. The card must be activated when it is received.

    If you do not receive a decision notification or a Way2Go Debit Mastercard, contact your DFCS case manager or contact Way2Go Debit Mastercard customer service at GoProgram.com or 1-800-656-1347. 

  • Next Steps

    • If you believe the decision in your case is not fair, you can request a hearing to have your case reconsidered. Contact your local office by mail or phone within 30 days of receiving your notice of eligibility.