Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
Tennessee’s TANF program is called Families First. It can provide short-term cash help and work supports to very low-income families with children. It is not a grant, and it is not guaranteed. The state checks your household, income, resources, child support cooperation, and work or training plan before approval.
Start with the official TDHS Families First page, then apply through the One DHS portal or a county DHS office. If you need food, child care, health coverage, rent help, or utility help too, apply for those programs at the same time. TANF cash is usually only one piece of a larger plan.
Need help today?
If your family has no food, no safe place to sleep, a shutoff notice, a missed DHS call, or a safety concern, do not wait for a TANF decision.
- For local food, rent, utility, diaper, shelter, and transportation referrals, call 211 or use Tennessee 211 during your search.
- For a missed interview or case problem, call the One DHS Contact Center at 833-772-TDHS (8347). You can also check your account online.
- For a lost or stolen EBT card, use EBT card help and call the EBT Customer Service line listed by TDHS.
- If contacting the other parent may put you or your child in danger, tell DHS you need to discuss child support good cause. For immediate abuse support, contact the National DV Hotline from a safe device.
Where to start
Use this order if you are starting from zero and need help fast.
1. File the application
Apply online or ask for a paper form. Filing starts your case. You can give more proof after the application is filed.
2. Watch for the interview
DHS should contact you for an interview after your application is received. Answer calls and check portal notices.
3. Upload proof
Send copies of ID, income, residency, Social Security numbers or proof of applying, and proof of children in your care.
4. Ask for backup help
Apply for SNAP, WIC, TennCare, child care, LIHEAP, and local help while you wait.
Quick reference for Tennessee Families First
| Topic | What to know | Best first step |
|---|---|---|
| Program name | Families First is Tennessee’s TANF cash assistance program. | Read the official program page. |
| Main help | Temporary cash assistance plus possible work supports, child care, transportation, training, and related services. | Apply through DHS. |
| Children | The household must include a child under 18, or an 18-year-old expected to graduate before age 19. | Gather proof of relationship and school status. |
| Time limit | Benefits are time-limited to 60 months in a participant’s lifetime. | Use TANF with a longer plan. |
| Work plan | Most non-exempt adults must follow a Personal Responsibility Plan and work or train for at least 30 hours per week. | Ask about approved activities. |
| Decision timing | DHS says applicants are notified of approval or denial within 45 days of the initial application after required steps are completed. | Keep proof of every upload. |
| Case length | Families First participants are certified for 12 months if approved and still eligible. | Watch renewal notices. |
What Families First is
Families First is Tennessee’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. Tennessee describes it as a workforce development and employment program. That means the state is not only checking whether you need cash help. It is also looking at work, training, school attendance for children, child support cooperation, and steps toward stability.
The program can help with temporary cash assistance. Approved families may also be able to receive supportive services such as transportation, child care assistance, educational supports, job training, and other supports tied to the case. Cash benefits are issued through an EBT card. The card is mailed using information from your application, so your address must stay current.
For more Tennessee help beyond cash aid, use our Tennessee help guide. It can help you map food, health, housing, child care, legal, and emergency options in one place.
Who may qualify
Families First has technical and financial rules. The official eligibility rules say applicants must live in Tennessee and must meet child, relationship, citizenship, Social Security, income, and resource standards.
To qualify, there must be a child in the home. The child must be under 18, or age 18 and expected to graduate high school before turning 19. The child must live with a parent or a relative within the degree of relationship allowed by TDHS. Relatives caring for children may be able to ask about child-only or caretaker-related case rules.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens and must have a Social Security number or proof that they applied for one. If someone in the household is not applying for benefits, ask DHS what information is needed for that person and what is not needed. The state application addendum says people may apply for benefits for citizens and eligible immigrants even if the adult does not apply for benefits for herself.
Families First also has a resource test. Tennessee lists the asset limit as $2,000. Income is more complicated. DHS reviews gross income and net income using state standards. Countable income can include wages, self-employment, child support, unemployment, Social Security, disability benefits, pensions, and other income. Do not rely on an old chart from another website. Ask DHS to check your case using current rules.
Reality check before you apply
TANF cash can help, but it is usually modest and temporary. It may not cover full rent, a car repair, or all monthly bills. It also comes with strict paperwork and follow-up rules. Missing a notice, interview, upload deadline, work activity, or address update can delay or close a case.
Apply anyway if you think you may qualify, but also build a backup plan. For food help, see our Tennessee SNAP guide. For child care costs, see Tennessee child care. For WIC help during pregnancy or for young children, see Tennessee WIC.
How to apply for Families First in Tennessee
The official application steps are: submit an application, complete the eligibility interview, submit verification documents, complete the Personal Responsibility Plan, then wait for the approval or denial notice.
You can apply online. The state says online applications usually have shorter processing time than paper applications. You can also print an application, take it to a county office, or mail it. Use the county DHS office locator to find your local office and confirm the best way to send papers.
Paper forms are available through the state forms page in English, Spanish, Arabic, Somali, Kurdish, Nepali, Farsi, Russian, Ukrainian, Swahili, Burmese, and Vietnamese. If you need language help or disability help, tell DHS. The state application says free interpreter help and disability-related help are available.
If you have questions about a pending case, the Family Assistance questions page explains how to check status, reschedule an appointment, report changes, request a paper form, and ask about verification problems.
Documents checklist
Send copies, not originals, unless DHS tells you otherwise. Keep a photo, scan, or receipt for everything you send. If you cannot get a document, ask your DHS worker what other proof may work.
| Proof needed | Examples that may help | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Driver’s license, state ID, school ID, passport, other photo ID | Ask DHS if you lost your ID. |
| Social Security number | Social Security card, official record, proof you applied | Do this early if a child needs one. |
| Citizenship or status | Birth certificate, passport, immigration papers for people applying | Ask what is needed for non-applicants. |
| Tennessee address | Lease, utility bill, phone bill, driver license, shelter letter | Use a safe mailing address if needed. |
| Income | Pay stubs, employer letter, benefit letters, unemployment proof | Report work changes within 10 days. |
| Resources | Bank records, vehicle or property proof if requested | Only send what DHS asks for. |
| Children in care | Birth certificates, school records, custody papers, relative proof | Relative caregivers should ask about child-only cases. |
| School and health | School attendance, immunization, health check records | These can be part of the plan. |
Work rules, child support, and case duties
Personal Responsibility Plan
If your family meets eligibility rules, you must sign a Personal Responsibility Plan before moving forward. This plan can include work or training activities, child support cooperation, school attendance, immunizations, health checks, and other case steps. Some families may also complete an Individual Opportunity Plan with a TANF case manager.
Work and training
Most adults who are not exempt must participate in work or training for at least 30 hours per week. Approved activities can vary by case. Ask your TANF case manager what counts before you spend time or money on a class, job search, volunteer work, or training program.
If child care, transportation, illness, disability, domestic violence, or another serious issue keeps you from doing an activity, contact DHS quickly and keep proof. Do not simply stop attending. You can also look at our Tennessee job training and Tennessee transportation guides for extra starting points.
Child support cooperation
Families First caretakers usually must cooperate with the child support program unless DHS finds good cause. Tennessee’s child support program can help locate a parent, establish paternity, establish or enforce support, modify orders, and handle medical support. If you receive Families First, DHS says your case is automatically referred to the local child support office. The child support application page explains who can apply and how the process starts.
If cooperation may be unsafe, say that clearly and ask about good cause before you give information that could increase danger. Our Tennessee safety guide can help you find safety-focused resources, but it is not a safety plan.
Common mistakes that delay cases
- Missing the interview call and not calling back the same day.
- Uploading a blurry photo of a document.
- Moving or changing phones without updating DHS.
- Assuming the portal saved an upload without checking for a confirmation.
- Keeping direct child support payments while receiving Families First without asking DHS what to do.
- Ignoring a notice because it looks confusing.
- Waiting to ask for good cause, disability help, interpreter help, or a new appointment.
If your case is denied, delayed, or closed
Read the notice first. It should say why DHS made the decision and what you can do next. If the reason is missing proof, upload the proof right away and call to ask whether it can still be used. If the reason is a missed interview, ask to reschedule. If the reason is work activity or child support cooperation, ask what action DHS says is missing and how to fix it.
You may file an appeal online, by phone, by writing, or by eForm for SNAP, Families First, and child care assistance. Use the DHS appeals page for current appeal forms and contact information. Appeals have deadlines, so do not wait if you disagree with a notice.
If you need help with an appeal or a benefits problem, contact legal aid in your region. Start with our Tennessee legal help guide. You can also contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, Legal Aid of East Tennessee, West Tennessee Legal Services, or Memphis Area Legal Services, depending on your county.
Backup help while you wait
Families First is only one program. These options may help with needs TANF does not fully cover.
| Need | Where to start | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Food | Apply for SNAP in Tennessee and call 211 for pantries. | SNAP and TANF can be checked through DHS, but they have separate rules. |
| Child care | Review child care payment assistance. | Programs have work, school, document, and co-pay rules. |
| Pregnancy or young children | Use Tennessee WIC for food, nutrition, breastfeeding, and referrals. | WIC is not cash and has its own clinic process. |
| Health coverage | Apply through TennCare Connect. | TennCare, CoverKids, and Medicare Savings Programs have separate rules. |
| Utilities | Check THDA LIHEAP and local agencies. | Funding and application windows can change. |
| Work search | Use Jobs4TN and American Job Centers. | Ask DHS which activities count for TANF. |
For related Tennessee guides, see Tennessee health coverage, Tennessee housing help, Tennessee emergency help, and Tennessee utility help.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling DHS after applying
“Hi, my name is [name]. I applied for Families First on [date]. My case number is [number] if you have it. Can you tell me whether my interview is scheduled and whether any documents are missing?”
Asking for help with proof
“I am trying to send proof of [document], but I cannot get it by the due date. What other proof can you accept, and can you note my case that I called today?”
Asking about good cause
“I have a safety concern about cooperating with child support. I need to ask about good cause. What is the safest way to give DHS the information you need?”
Calling 211
“I am a single mother in [county]. I applied for TANF, but I need help now with [food/rent/utilities/diapers/transportation]. Can you give me programs that are open this week?”
Local help in Tennessee
Where you live matters. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Clarksville, Jackson, rural counties, and smaller towns may have different charity funds, transit options, legal aid offices, and food pantry schedules. DHS rules are statewide, but local help is not.
Start with your county DHS office for Families First questions. Use 211 for local resource referrals. For legal help, choose the legal aid program that serves your county. For community supports, our Tennessee community guide can help you look beyond DHS when local funds are open.
Resumen en español
Families First es el programa TANF de Tennessee. Puede dar ayuda temporal en efectivo a familias con niños que cumplen las reglas de ingresos, recursos, residencia y otros requisitos. No es una beca ni dinero garantizado.
Puede solicitar en lÃnea por One DHS o pedir una solicitud en papel. Guarde copias de sus documentos y revise sus avisos. Si necesita comida, cuidado infantil, salud, renta o ayuda con servicios públicos, solicite esos programas también.
Si tiene miedo de dar información sobre el otro padre por violencia o seguridad, dÃgale a DHS que necesita preguntar sobre “good cause” antes de seguir.
FAQ
Is TANF in Tennessee called Families First?
Yes. Tennessee’s TANF cash assistance program is called Families First. It is run by the Tennessee Department of Human Services.
Can a single mother apply for Families First online?
Yes. You can apply online through One DHS. You can also use a paper application and submit it by mail or through a county DHS office.
How long can Families First last?
Tennessee says Families First benefits are time-limited to 60 months in a participant’s lifetime. Approved participants are certified for 12 months and must renew if still eligible.
What documents should I gather?
Start with ID, Social Security numbers or proof of applying, proof of Tennessee address, proof of income, proof of resources if asked, and proof of the children in your care.
Do I have to cooperate with child support?
Usually yes, unless DHS determines good cause. If cooperation may be unsafe, ask DHS about good cause before giving information that could put you or your child at risk.
What can I do if DHS denies my case?
Read the notice, ask DHS what is missing, send any proof quickly, and file an appeal before the deadline if you disagree. Legal aid may be able to help with benefits problems.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Last updated: May 20, 2026. Next review: August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.