Families First (Tennessee TANF Cash Assistance)
Last updated August 2026
Families First is Tennessee's monthly cash program for families with children. A family of three gets up to $387 a month. A family of four gets up to $438. Apply at onedhs.tn.gov/csp, the same portal as SNAP, so one sitting can start both.
The rules are strict because the money is for families with very little. What you own must be under $2,000. A child under 18 must live with you. Income is tested twice against state tables. Do not try to guess the math yourself. Apply and let the office run it.
Know the two big strings before you sign. First, most adults sign a Personal Responsibility Plan and put in at least 30 hours a week of work or training. The program helps with child care and rides to make that possible. Second, there is a 60-month lifetime limit. Every month of cash burns one of those months. A grandparent raising a child alone should ask about child-only cases. Those skip the time limit.
The process has real deadlines you can hold them to. A caseworker should call about your interview within 10 days of a complete application. You get a yes or no within 45 days.
One more tool most people never hear about: a diversion payment. Have a diploma or GED and recent work history? The state can hand you 1 to 12 months of your grant in one lump sum, for a car repair or a work need, instead of monthly checks. Those months still count against your 60. So weigh it.
Phone 1-833-772-8347
Help available in English and Spanish.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Families with children who are Tennessee residents and meet income and resource limits
- Most adults sign a Personal Responsibility Plan and take part in work or training activities; federal and state time limits apply to how long you can receive cash
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Apply at onedhs.tn.gov/csp, or drop a paper form at your county DHS office. Paper forms come in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Somali.
- 2
Answer the caseworker's call. Interview contact should come within 10 days of a complete application.
- 3
Send proof for everyone in the home. If DHS already has a document from your SNAP or TennCare file, you may not need to send it again.
- 4
Sign the Personal Responsibility Plan and tell the worker up front if disability or caregiving makes 30 hours a week impossible. Exemptions exist, but only if you ask.
- 5
Get your answer within 45 days. Then report any change in income, address, or household within 10 days, every time.
- 6
Ask where you stand on the 60-month clock at every renewal, so the limit never surprises you.
What to have ready
- ID and Social Security numbers for everyone applying
- Proof of income and what you own
- Proof a child lives with you, plus school and shot records for the kids
- The office confirms the full list at your interview.
What the application looks like
Common questions
How much is TANF in Tennessee?
Up to $244 a month for one person, $343 for two, $387 for three, $438 for four, $471 for five. Many websites still say $277 for a family of three; that number is years out of date.
How long can I get Families First?
60 months in a lifetime, and every paid month counts. Child-only cases, like a grandparent raising a grandchild without being on the grant, do not burn the clock.
How long does a Families First decision take?
Up to 45 days from your application. A caseworker should reach out about your interview within the first 10 days.
Do I have to work for Families First?
Most adults must do 30 or more hours a week of work or training under a Personal Responsibility Plan. The program can cover child care and transportation to get you there. Disability and some caregiving situations are exempt; say so early.
What is a diversion payment?
A one-time lump sum of 1 to 12 months of your grant, for a pressing work-related need, instead of monthly cash. You need a diploma or GED and recent work history, and the months count toward your 60-month limit.
What if I am denied or my benefits are cut?
Appeal within 90 days of the notice, online at onedhs.tn.gov/csp or by phone at 833-772-8347. Appeal within 10 days and payments keep coming while the case is decided, though you repay if you lose.
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