If you qualify for the Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, you may also be eligible for an Obama Phone. Let’s briefly review how the program works, who qualifies for it, and how to enroll.
Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, also called TTANF, is a federally-funded assistance program that is almost identical to the standard Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The main difference is that it is available only to individuals who are members of a federally-recognized tribe, are American Indians or are Alaska Natives. TTANF is also administered locally by the tribe itself rather than by a state or county agency. Although each tribe has the ability and leeway to customize their TTANF program to fit their area needs, programs must be designed to meet the four federally defined purposes listed below:
- Assist low-income families so that children can be cared for in their own homes
- Reduce the dependency of low-income parents on subsidized assistance by promoting job preparation, work and marriage
- Prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies
- Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families
Qualifying for Tribally-Administered Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or any other government program described on this site, also qualifies you for the Lifeline Assistance Obama Phone program.
Tribal TANF Program Benefits
Participants in the TTANF program can receive a variety of assistance ranging from cash to reimbursement for expenses related to job training and education. Below is a list of some of the benefits that may be available to participants.
- Cash assistance
- Education development assistance
- Career development assistance
- Child care stipend
- Transportation assistance
- K-12 Clothing allowance
- Monthly cash assistance
- Stipend for child care costs
- Emergency assistance
- Transportation and/or reimbursement
- Referrals to other agencies and organizations
- Career development
- Payment of employment or educational expenses
Do you qualify for TTANF?
Although program criteria vary slightly among tribes, the following criteria are typically required in order for you to participate in the TTANF program.
- One member of your household must be a member of a federally recognized tribe. Proof of tribe lineage is required at the time of application.
- There must be a low-income, minor dependent in your home or you must be the in the third trimester of pregnancy
- You must reside within the tribe or area where they are applying for assistance
- You must specific meet income guidelines
How to enroll in the TTANF Program
If you want to apply for the TTANF program, you must be able to provide the following documentation to support the information provided on the application:
- Valid identification for all household members
- Birth certificates for all household members
- Social Security cards or numbers for all household members
- Proof of tribal enrollment or lineal descendancy from at least one household member
- Proof of income including Social Security Income statements and Veterans Benefit Income statements
- Immunization records for children
- School enrollment and attendance verification for all children
- Bank statements and other forms of income verification
- Proof of residency