Child Care Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
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Are you raising a family and having difficulties making ends meet? You may be eligible for assistance from the state of Illinois through it’s Child Care Assistance Programs and/or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Child Care Assistance PrograMs
The state of Illinois offers 3 different child care programs:
Child Care Assistant Program (CCAP)- A cost share child care program based on your income. You share the cost of child care with the state of Illinois. The less you earn, the lower your portion of the cost.
Migrant & Seasonal Head Start- Child care and social services for low-income households with preschool aged children that earn their income through migrant or seasonal farm work.
Head Start- Preschool and social services for low-income households with preschool aged children.
To determine if you are eligible for any of these child care assistance programs, please check out the CCAP website for more information.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
TANF provides short term cash assistance for pregnant parents or families with one or more dependants. The cash can be used for utilities, rent, food, and other needs with the exception of medical care. Eligibility requirements for TANF are:
You must be pregnant or have a child under the age of 19 who lives with you. If your child is 18, they must be enrolled in high school;
If you are pregnant and female and live with your male partner, you may both qualify for funds if you are married;
Live in Illinois. You still qualify if you are homeless;
Be a U.S citizen, or have legal status in the U.S for at least 5 years. If you are classified as a refugee, asylee, foreign victim of trafficking, or married to a member of the military or a veteran you can bypass the 5 year legal status requirement;
Develop a plan for self-sufficiency, which includes finding a job and maintaining it.
Unfortunately if you have been convicted of a crime in Illinois, you are not eligible for cash benefits until 2 years after your conviction or until you finish any treatment programs required as a result of your conviction.
TANF Limitations
Keep in mind that there is a 60 month lifetime maximum of receiving TANF funds. This means that once you have received benefits for a total of 60 months, you no longer qualify for funds, even if you are still experiencing financial hardship. There are a few exceptions to this rule however. For example:
If you have a pending SSI application and are determined disabled by the state of Illinois
Can prove that you are unable to work at least 30 hours per week due to a medical condition;
Are in a program such as mental health or substance use rehabilitation that prevents you from working 30 hours per week
Are enrolled in a school or a training program that will be finished within 6 months after the end of the 60 months
Are approved to care for a related child under 18 or spouse due to their medical condition
Have a disabled child who is approved for a Home and Community-based Care Waiver for medically fragile/technology-dependent children under age 21.
TANF Work Requirements
If you are approved for TANF funds and you are physically able to work, you must complete TANF work requirements. TANF work requirements change based upon your personal situation. For example, if you are a single parent whose youngest child is under the age of 6 years old, you have to work a minimum of 20 hours per week to continue receiving funds. If your youngest child is over the age of 6 years old, you will have to work a minimum of 30 hours per week to continue receiving funds. If your household consists of a two-parent home regardless of the age of the child, you will have to work a minimum of 35 hours per week in order to continue receiving funds. Exemptions for the work requirement include individuals who meet any of the following conditions:
Are 60 years or older
Care for a child under the age of 1 yrs old (If you are under 20 years old without a GED or High School Diploma you are not exempt from the work requirement)
Been approved for Child Only TANF benefits for a child that is not your biological or adopted child.
What Type of work meets tAnf Requirements?
Volunteering and internships (paid or unpaid),
On the job training,
Community service,
Work-study,
You must report your earnings every 6 months. Keep in mind that for paid positions, your cash benefits are reduced by $1 for every $4 dollars you earn. Also lump sums such as back social security pay, settlement money, or lotto winnings are considered as income. Child support is not considered in your earnings however, if you are the single biological mother of a child and have applied for TANF benefits and have not yet received child support payments, or established the paternity of your child’s father you are required to establish paternity and if applicable apply for child support payments once paternity is established in order to receive funds. Keep in mind only the custodial parent may apply for TANF benefits.
Eligible Items for purchase with TANF Cash Benefits and additional services
TANF cash benefits can be used to buy clothing, food, and cover housing expenses. In addition to cash benefits, TANF recipients may qualify for the following services and benefits:
When you apply for TANF funds, you will also receive applications for SNAP (LINK), Medicaid, and All Kids (Illinois health insurance for children). If you are not offered these additional applications when applying for TANF, make sure you ask for them, especially SNAP. If you are approved for TANF funds, the money will be sent directly to your LINK card. For more information on TANF, LINK cards and other services you may be eligible for when approved for TANF funds, check out this article from Illinois Legal Aid.