Virginia TANF (Cash Assistance)
Last updated August 2026
Virginia TANF provides monthly cash payments to families with children in financial need, and connects parents to education, training, and jobs. Apply online through CommonHelp, by phone at 855-635-4370 on weekdays 7 to 6, or with a paper application at your local Department of Social Services. Applications come in English and Spanish.
The family rules are specific. A child under 18, or 18 and still in high school or vocational school, must live with a parent or a caretaker relative. The child must be a Virginia resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant. Grandparents and other relatives raising children can qualify as caretakers, and should apply rather than assume the program is only for parents.
Ask about Diversionary Assistance before you start the clock. It is a one-time payment, available only to families applying for TANF, that can cover food, shelter, medical, child care, and work expenses in a rough patch. Its quiet advantage: it does not count against your time limits. Virginia runs both a 24-month state limit and a 60-month federal lifetime limit, so an option that spends neither is worth a serious look.
Most adults on TANF join VIEW, the mandatory work program, through one of three pathways: a subsidized job through the Full Employment Program, the Community Work Experience Program, or the Public Service Program. Treat the VIEW plan as part of the deal; falling out of it puts the cash at risk.
There is also Emergency Assistance for sudden disasters: a fire, a natural disaster, or eviction prevention, available whether or not the family currently receives TANF. If your crisis is one bad event rather than a long stretch, name it when you call.
TANF's cash is modest, so stack the rest. The same CommonHelp application reaches SNAP and health coverage, which serve far higher incomes. And 2-1-1 tracks the local funds and charities that fill the gaps the time limits leave.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Families with children who are Virginia residents and meet an income and resource test
- Most adults must take part in the VIEW work program, and 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 commonhelp.virginia.gov, call 855-635-4370, or file a paper application at your local DSS.
- 2
Ask about Diversionary Assistance first; the one-time help does not count against your time limits.
- 3
Provide proof of the child's residence, citizenship or immigration status, and family income.
- 4
Join your VIEW work pathway and keep up the activities so payments continue.
What to have ready
- ID and Social Security numbers for the adults applying
- Proof of income for the household
- Proof that a child lives with you. Your local office confirms the full list.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Who can get TANF in Virginia?
Families in financial need with a child under 18 (or 18 and in school) living with a parent or caretaker relative. The child must be a Virginia resident and a citizen or eligible immigrant.
How long can I get TANF?
Virginia applies a 24-month state limit and a 60-month federal lifetime limit. Diversionary Assistance does not count against either.
What is Diversionary Assistance?
A one-time payment for families applying for TANF that covers food, shelter, medical, child care, or work expenses, without starting your time-limit clocks. Ask about it before enrolling in monthly cash.
Do I have to work?
Most adults join VIEW, the mandatory work program, through a subsidized job, community work experience, or public service placement.
How much does TANF pay?
The state does not publish grant amounts on its program pages; the amount depends on household size and locality. Apply and your worker calculates it.
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