How To Get Paid Monthly EBT Cash Benefits
EBT cash benefits, or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, is a government assistance program that provides cash assistance to low-income families. If you are in need of help purchasing basic needs, you may be eligible to receive EBT cash benefits.
In this article, we will explain how to apply for EBT cash benefits and what you can expect once you are approved.
What Is EBT Cash Benefits?
EBT cash benefits are government benefits that help low-income families with cash assistance. The EBT cash benefits program is also known as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Editor’s Note: Government assistance programs typically have multiple names that the public refers to them as. If you see or hear any of these terms know that they all mean EBT cash benefits: EBT Cash Benefits, Temporary Assistance For Needy Families, TANF, TANF Cash, or Welfare.
Once you qualify for this program they will issue you a debit card with cash benefits on an EBT card. You can use this EBT cash card to make purchases of basic needs items that are approved by your state’s health and human services department.
What Is The Difference Between Cash Assistance Benefits And SNAP Benefits?
There are two primary programs that fall under the EBT umbrella: SNAP and cash assistance.
SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, helps low-income individuals and families meet their basic food needs. Generally, SNAP is limited to healthy foods that can be bought from grocery stores and supermarkets. With a few rare exceptions, you cannot use SNAP funds to purchase hot, ready-made meals at restaurants or fast-food establishments.
Cash assistance, on the other hand, is a program that provides cash benefits to low-income households in order to help cover the cost of living expenses. These benefits can be used to cover things like rent, utilities, transportation, and other necessary expenses.
While both programs are designed to help low-income households make ends meet, they each have different restrictions on how the benefits can be used.
“Cash benefits” is a term that is used to describe the funds you have available to you on an EBT card. These benefits are separate from SNAP benefits, which is why cash benefits are often referred to as “emergency” or “temporary” cash assistance.
Cash Benefits IS The Same Thing As TANF
EBT cash benefits is another name for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This is a government assistance program that provides cash assistance to low-income families.
Government assistance programs typically have multiple names that the public refers to them as. If you see or hear any of these terms know that they all mean EBT cash benefits:
- Cash Benefits
- EBT Cash Benefits
- Temporary Assistance For Needy Families
- TANF
- TANF Cash
- Welfare – this name was replaced by TANF
What Can You Buy With TANF Cash Benefits?
You can use your EBT cash benefits to purchase a wide variety of things, including food, clothing, housing, utilities, furniture, transportation, phone service, laundry supplies, and medical supplies not covered by Medicaid.
In addition, you can use your EBT cash benefits to pay for other basic needs like diapers and toothpaste. With EBT cash benefits, you can get the things you need to live a comfortable life.
Can I Withdraw Money From An ATM With EBT Cash Benefits?
Yes, you can funds from the ATM if you have EBT cash benefits (also known as TANF).
While you can use your EBT card cash to buy food items at the grocery store, you may also be able to withdraw cash from an ATM. Essentially, an EBT card functions much like a debit card. However, if you only have SNAP funds, you can’t withdraw cash or use your card to pay for housing or non-food items.
If you do have TANF or EBT cash benefits, you can use your card to withdraw money from the ATM.
What Is The EBT Cash Benefits Eligibility Criteria?
In order to qualify for EBT cash benefits, you must meet certain requirements. To qualify, you will need to show that you are financially struggling and have dependents under your care.
Here are the exact qualifications:
- You must be unemployed or underemployed.
- Additionally, your income must be very low according to the cost of living in your area.
- Finally, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, or a qualified alien.
- Have children who are 18 years of age or younger.
- You are pregnant.
- 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.
If any of the above situations describe your situation you could qualify for cash benefits.
Applying For EBT Cash Benefits
To apply for EBT cash benefits you will need to contact your state’s human services department. Typically your state will allow you to apply for cash benefits in-person, by mail, by phone, or online.
You can use the listing below to either call your state’s EBT cash benefits program or visit their website to learn how to get EBT cash benefits in your state.
- Alabama Department of Public Health
- Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
- Arizona Department of Health Services
- Arkansas Department of Health
- California Department of Public Health
- Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
- Connecticut State Department of Public Health
- Delaware Division of Public Health
- District of Columbia Department of Health
- Florida Department of Health
- Georgia Department of Public Health
- Hawaii State Department of Health
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Illinois Department of Public Health
- Indiana State Department of Health
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- Kansas Department of Health and Environment
- Kentucky Department for Public Health
- Louisiana Department of Health
- Maine Department of Health and Human Services
- Maryland Department of Health
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
- Minnesota Department of Health
- Mississippi State Department of Health
- Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
- Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health
- New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
- New Jersey Department of Health
- New Mexico Department of Health
- New York State Department of Health
- North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
- North Dakota Department of Health
- Ohio Department of Health
- Oklahoma State Department of Health
- Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Rhode Island Department of Health
- South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
- South Dakota Department of Health
- Tennessee Department of Health
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Utah Department of Health
- Vermont Department of Health
- Virginia Department of Health
- Washington State Department of Health
- West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Bureau for Public Health
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- Wyoming Department of Health
How Much TANF Benefits Can I Receive Each Month?
The average monthly EBT cash benefit is $503. The monthly cash benefits amount you receive will depend on the state you live in, your current income, the size of your family, and your state of employment. New Hampshire has the highest monthly TANF benefit of $1,098, while Arkansas at $204 has the lowest cash benefit of any state.
Again the benefits will vary based on your state. Other examples of monthly payments include EBT cash benefits in California averaging $878. North Carolina EBT cash benefits on the other hand average around $272 per month. These numbers are based on a single-parent family of 3.
Enter your state’s name in the table below to learn how much monthly TANF benefits you can get.
| State | Average EBT Cash Benefit (July 2021) |
|---|---|
| Arkansas | $204 |
| Alabama | $215 |
| Louisiana | $240 |
| Mississippi | $260 |
| Kentucky | $262 |
| North Carolina | $272 |
| Arizona | $278 |
| Georgia | $280 |
| Indiana | $288 |
| Missouri | $292 |
| Oklahoma | $292 |
| Florida | $303 |
| South Carolina | $305 |
| Texas | $308 |
| Idaho | $309 |
| Delaware | $338 |
| Nevada | $386 |
| Tennessee | $387 |
| Pennsylvania | $403 |
| Iowa | $426 |
| Kansas | $429 |
| New Mexico | $447 |
| Nebraska | $485 |
| North Dakota | $486 |
| Michigan | $492 |
| Utah | $498 |
| Oregon | $506 |
| Colorado | $508 |
| Ohio | $512 |
| West Virginia | $542 |
| Illinois | $543 |
| New Jersey | $559 |
| Virginia | $559 |
| Montana | $588 |
| Hawai’i | $610 |
| Maine | $620 |
| South Dakota | $630 |
| Minnesota | $632 |
| Wisconsin | $653 |
| Washington | $654 |
| District of Columbia | $658 |
| Vermont | $699 |
| Connecticut | $709 |
| Massachusetts | $712 |
| Rhode Island | $721 |
| Wyoming | $726 |
| Maryland | $727 |
| New York | $789 |
| California | $878 |
| Alaska | $923 |
| New Hampshire | $1,098 |
If you begin working after applying for cash benefits, the amount you receive will be based on your income and deductions. If your income exceeds the poverty level in your area, you could lose eligibility for the program. However, if you are able to find a job that pays a livable wage, you may be able to keep your benefits and slowly transition off of the program.
How Long Can You Receive TANF Cash Benefits?
You can only receive TANF funds for a maximum of 5 years. After 5 years of receiving cash benefits, you will no longer be eligible for the program. However, you may still be able to qualify for SNAP.
SNAP provides food assistance to low-income families and individuals, and you may be able to receive SNAP benefits even if you are not receiving TANF benefits.
TANF is designed to help low-income families make ends meet, but it is not meant to be a long-term solution.
Conclusion
EBT cash benefits can help low-income families make ends meet. The program provides cash assistance that can be used to purchase basic needs like food and housing.
The name of this program seems to vary considerably, with titles such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, cash benefits, and welfare all being used, so don’t be confused.
If you are interested in applying for the cash benefits program in your state, visit the TANF website for more information.
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Nick Bryant is the author of Understanding Healthcare Is Half The Battle and a Senior Counselor with 13+ years of experience working in community health and mental health. He enjoys spending time with his family, watching WWE on Friday nights, and working toward a Google Data Analytics certification. If you have additional questions about community resources or government assistance programs, simply leave a comment below and he will follow up as soon as possible.
