TAFDC Benefits
Your TAFDC amount is based on family size, if you have a housing subsidy, and any other income your family has. The maximum monthly benefit amounts are listed below. Ask your case manager if you have questions about your TAFDC amount.
| Family size | Public or subsidized housing | Private housing |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $513 | $553 |
| 2 | $648 | $688 |
| 3 | $783 | $823 |
| 4 | $912 | $952 |
| 5 | $1,045 | $1,085 |
| 6 | $1,183 | $1,223 |
| 7 | $1,316 | $1,356 |
| 8 | $1,448 | $1,488 |
| 9 | $1,580 | $1,620 |
| 10 | $1,714 | $1,754 |
| Each additional household member | +$139 | +$139 |
Your monthly benefit is split into two payments. DTA will issue your payments on specific dates each month based on the last digit of your Social Security Number. See the chart below. For example, if your Social Security Number ends in 5, you will get your TAFDC on the 8th and 23rd of each month.
Benefits due on Sunday are deposited on Saturday. Benefits due on a holiday are deposited the day before the holiday.
| Last Digit of Social Security Number | First Payment | Second Payment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 16 |
| 1 | 2 | 17 |
| 2 | 4 | 19 |
| 3 | 5 | 20 |
| 4 | 7 | 22 |
| 5 | 8 | 23 |
| 6 | 10 | 25 |
| 7 | 11 | 26 |
| 8 | 13 | 28 |
| 9 | 14 | 29* |
*In February, benefits are available on the 28th unless it is a leap year.
Telling DTA About Changes
When you get TAFDC, you must tell DTA about certain changes within 10 days:
- Any new income for your household;
- Your household’s monthly income changes by more than $100;
- Changes to who lives in your household (for example, if you have a baby or a child moves in or out); AND
- If you move
To tell DTA about changes:
- Call your case manager (their information is available on DTA Connect);
- Upload proof to DTA Connect;
- Bring documents showing the change to a DTA office; or
- Mail or fax documents to DTA.
Note: Talk to your case manager if you have a new baby, as you are eligible for a one-time $300 payment.
Reviewing your TAFDC Eligibility
A TAFDC eligibility review is called a reevaluation. Most families have a review every 6 months.
DTA will review your eligibility for TAFDC every 12 months if:
- All adults in your family get SSI; or
- You care for a child who is not your biological or adopted child, and only the child gets TAFDC.
We will schedule a phone interview at least 30 days before your review deadline. We will send you a letter and a text about your appointment. If you use DTA Connect, you can see your appointment there. If the time does not work for you, ask your case manager to reschedule. If you do not have access to a phone, you can use a phone at a DTA office.
As part of the review, DTA may ask you for verifications to show you are still eligible. If we need verifications, we will send you a notice. You can see the notice on DTA Connect and upload documents from your phone. You can also bring them to a DTA office or mail or fax them to DTA.
TAFDC Time Limit & Extensions
Some families can only get TAFDC for a total of 24 months in a 5-year period. Months you must meet the TAFDC Work Rules count toward this limit. Your case manager and DTA notices will tell you if the time limit applies to you.
If you still need TAFDC when you reach the time limit, you can ask for an extension. Once you have used 22 months of benefits, your case manager will make an appointment to discuss an extension.
If you ask for an extension, you will get TAFDC until a decision is made. There is no limit to the number of extensions you can ask for.
If we approve your extension, DTA will continue to support your progress and help you transition off benefits. If we deny your extension, you have a right to appeal.
Supports While You Work, Go to School, or in a Training Program
If you work, go to school or are in a training program while getting TAFDC, DTA can give you a referral for free child care and money for transportation.
Also, if you work, DTA will not lower your TAFDC amount for six months as long as your total income is under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (see chart below). After six months, your TAFDC may go down or stop. Your case manager will call you before the six months is up to tell you what to expect. Talk to your case manager if you have questions.
| Household size | 200% Federal Poverty Line |
|---|---|
| 1 | $2,510 |
| 2 | $3,407 |
| 3 | $4,303 |
| 4 | $5,200 |
| 5 | $6,097 |
| 6 | $6,993 |
| 7 | $7,890 |
| 8 | $8,787 |
| 9 | $9,684 |
| 10 | $10,581 |
| Each additional household member | +$897 |
TAFDC Work Rules
All families getting TAFDC are eligible for TAFDC Pathways to Work education, employment and training programs. These programs help you gain skills and work towards your job goals. DTA can also provide supports such as free child care and money for transportation.
After we approve your TAFDC case, we will call you to discuss your goals and how to reach them.
Some families must meet TAFDC Work Rules to keep their TAFDC benefits. You can meet the Work Rules by participating in an education, training or job search program or working. We will tell you if you must meet the Work Rules. Tell your case manager or Full Engagement Worker right away if you cannot participate in a program or work. We will explain other options to keep your TAFDC benefits.
About Disabilities
If you have a disability or take care of a family member with a disability, you can ask to be excused from the work rules and time-limit. This is called an exemption. Even if you have an exemption, DTA can still help you work towards meeting your employment goals.
If you have trouble doing something we asked you to do because of a disability (physical, intellectual, mental health, sensory, and/or medical), we can provide assistance and/or modifications to a rule. This is called an accommodation:
- Call your case manager; or
- Contact a Client Assistance Coordinator by calling the DTA Assistance Line at (877) 382-2363.