Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a temporary public assistance program administered by the South Dakota Department of Social Services and Department of Labor. The primary focus of the program is to help families help themselves move from welfare to work by:

• Promoting family responsibility and accountability
• Encouraging self-sufficiency through work

In addition to help finding work, South Dakota families with serious financial needs may qualify for TANF monthly cash payments. To qualify, families must have children under age 18 (19 if the child is in high school) and need financial support due to:

• Death of a parent
• Parent is absent from the home
• Physical or mental incapacity or unemployment of a parent

Your TANF benefit amount is based on who lives with your family, who is eligible in your household and other income available to the family. TANF beneficiaries are required to participate in work activities unless exempt.

There are other eligibility requirements but we encourage you to learn more about how the South Dakota TANF program can help you and your family.