What Your State Calls TANF and How to Find Your Local Program
Each state runs TANF under a different name, and knowing yours matters because you'll need it to search for the actual office
TANF is the federal program, but every state renamed it. Some kept "TANF" in the title; others call it "Temporary Assistance," "Family Support," "Work First," or something entirely different. Your state's name is what appears on the office building, the website, and the forms you'll fill out. If you search for "TANF near me" in most states, you'll find nothing — you have to search for your state's actual program name instead.
The reason this matters is practical: you can't reach the right office or find the right application without knowing what your state calls the program. A caseworker in one state has never heard of "TANF" as a program name because their state calls it something else. This guide lists what each state calls the program and how to find the local office that handles it.
Key Takeaways
- Every state renamed the federal TANF program, so searching for "TANF" by name usually returns nothing — you need your state's specific program name.
- Your state's program name appears on the state human services website, usually under a section for cash assistance or family services.
- The local office that handles your case is run by your county or city, not the state office, so you'll need both the state program name and your county's contact information.
- Some states let you start the process online; others require you to visit an office or call a specific number to begin.
- Having your state's program name and your county's office address or phone number before you contact anyone saves time and reduces transfers between departments.
State-by-state program names and how to find your local office
Below is what each state calls its TANF program and the fastest way to find your county or local office. Most states have a single state website where you can search by county; a few require you to contact the county directly. In every case, the state human services or social services website is the official source.
| State | Program Name | How to Find Your Local Office |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Family Assistance | Visit mydhr.alabama.gov, search "Family Assistance" and your county name |
| Alaska | Temporary Assistance Program (TAP) | Visit dhss.alaska.gov, use the office locator tool |
| Arizona | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | Visit azdes.gov, search your county for the local DES office |
| Arkansas | TANF (Arkansas) | Visit humanservices.arkansas.gov, search your county |
| California | CalWORKs | Visit cdss.ca.gov, search your county for the local welfare office |
| Colorado | Colorado Works Program (CWORK) | Visit cdhs.colorado.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Connecticut | TANF (Connecticut) | Visit ct.gov/dss, search your town for the local DSS office |
| Delaware | TANF (Delaware) | Visit dhss.delaware.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Florida | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | Visit myflorida.com/dhr, search your county for the local office |
| Georgia | Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) | Visit dhs.georgia.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Hawaii | TANF (Hawaii) | Visit humanservices.hawaii.gov, search your island for the local office |
| Idaho | Family Assistance Program (FAP) | Visit healthandwelfare.idaho.gov, search your county |
| Illinois | TANF (Illinois) | Visit cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/public_aid, search your county |
| Indiana | TANF (Indiana) | Visit in.gov/fssa, search your county for the local office |
| Iowa | Family Investment Program (FIP) | Visit dhs.iowa.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Kansas | TANF (Kansas) | Visit dcf.ks.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Kentucky | TANF (Kentucky) | Visit chfs.ky.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Louisiana | TANF (Louisiana) | Visit dss.louisiana.gov, search your parish for the local office |
| Maine | TANF (Maine) | Visit maine.gov/dhhs, search your county for the local office |
| Maryland | TANF (Maryland) | Visit msa.maryland.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Massachusetts | TANF (Massachusetts) | Visit mass.gov/dta, search your city for the local office |
| Michigan | Family Independence Program (FIP) | Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs, search your county for the local office |
| Minnesota | MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) | Visit pca.state.mn.us, search your county for the local office |
| Mississippi | TANF (Mississippi) | Visit mdhs.ms.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Missouri | TANF (Missouri) | Visit dss.mo.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Montana | TANF (Montana) | Visit dphhs.mt.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Nebraska | TANF (Nebraska) | Visit dhhs.ne.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Nevada | TANF (Nevada) | Visit dwss.nv.gov, search your county for the local office |
| New Hampshire | TANF (New Hampshire) | Visit dhhs.nh.gov, search your county for the local office |
| New Jersey | TANF (New Jersey) | Visit nj.gov/humanservices, search your county for the local office |
| New Mexico | TANF (New Mexico) | Visit env.nm.gov/edd, search your county for the local office |
| New York | TANF (New York) | Visit mybenefits.ny.gov or contact your local DSS office |
| North Carolina | Work First | Visit ncdhhs.gov, search your county for the local DSS office |
| North Dakota | TANF (North Dakota) | Visit nd.gov/dhs, search your county for the local office |
| Ohio | TANF (Ohio) | Visit jfs.ohio.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Oklahoma | TANF (Oklahoma) | Visit okdhs.org, search your county for the local office |
| Oregon | TANF (Oregon) | Visit oregon.gov/dhs, search your county for the local office |
| Pennsylvania | TANF (Pennsylvania) | Visit pa.gov/dhs, search your county for the local office |
| Rhode Island | TANF (Rhode Island) | Visit dhs.ri.gov, search your city for the local office |
| South Carolina | TANF (South Carolina) | Visit dss.sc.gov, search your county for the local office |
| South Dakota | TANF (South Dakota) | Visit dss.sd.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Tennessee | TANF (Tennessee) | Visit tn.gov/humanservices, search your county for the local office |
| Texas | TANF (Texas) | Visit hhs.texas.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Utah | TANF (Utah) | Visit dws.utah.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Vermont | TANF (Vermont) | Visit vermont.gov/dail, search your county for the local office |
| Virginia | TANF (Virginia) | Visit dss.virginia.gov, search your city or county for the local office |
| Washington | TANF (Washington) | Visit dshs.wa.gov, search your county for the local office |
| West Virginia | TANF (West Virginia) | Visit dhhr.wv.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Works (W-2) | Visit dhs.wisconsin.gov, search your county for the local office |
| Wyoming | TANF (Wyoming) | Visit wyomingworkforce.org, search your county for the local office |
Why your state's program name matters when you search online
When you search "TANF near me" or "TANF office in [your city]," most search engines return nothing or results from other states. That's because your state's website doesn't use the word "TANF" — it uses the state's official program name. A search for "CalWORKs office near me" in California or "Work First near me" in North Carolina will take you directly to the right place.
The state websites listed in the table above all have a county or local office search tool. Once you find your county, you'll see the office address, phone number, and sometimes the hours and whether you can start the process online or must visit in person. Some states let you start over the phone or through an online portal; others require an in-person visit to begin.
What to have ready before you contact your local office
Once you've found your local office, have these documents or information nearby before you call or visit. Different offices move at different speeds, and having everything ready the first time means you won't have to make a second trip or wait for a callback.
You'll need proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency), and proof of income or lack of income (recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or a statement that you have no income). If you have children, bring their birth certificates or proof of custody. If you're applying because of a job loss, have the date you stopped working and the name of your employer. The office will tell you if they need anything else, but starting with these documents means you won't have to reschedule.
Online portals and phone lines for faster processing
Many states now let you start the process online before visiting an office. California's CalWORKs program, for example, lets you begin through the state website; New York's mybenefits.ny.gov portal handles TANF applications online. Check your state's website to see whether you can start online, because it often saves time and reduces the number of office visits you need to make.
If your state doesn't offer online applications, call your local office and ask whether you can start over the phone. Some offices will take basic information by phone and mail you forms to complete, while others require you to visit in person. Asking this question first means