TANF Assistance for Single Mothers in Maryland

Where to start

Quick reference

How Maryland TCA works

TCA is for low-income families caring for dependent children. A parent may apply, and some relatives caring for a child may apply. A child generally must be under 18, or under 19 and a full-time student. A pregnant person may qualify in some situations.

The official TCA program flyer says applicants must meet financial and technical rules. These can include Maryland residence, eligible immigration status, household rules, income, work activities, child support cooperation, and substance-use screening when required.

Maryland does not use a simple public income chart that tells every family whether it qualifies. The rules count some income and exclude other income. A stepparent’s income, child support, unemployment, work earnings, or income from another person may affect the case. The safest step is to apply and ask for a written budget.

The TCA legal overview explains that TCA is generally limited to 60 months over a lifetime. Maryland may approve a hardship exemption when a family cannot obtain or keep work because of conditions outside its control. Examples can include health problems, homelessness, domestic violence, transportation barriers, child care barriers, or lack of job skills.

Maryland TCA payment amounts for 2026

Maryland increased TCA amounts effective January 1, 2026. The official 2026 payment memo lists the maximum monthly amounts below.

These are maximum amounts before countable income. They are not a promise of payment. Maryland generally subtracts countable net income from the payment standard. DHS will not issue TCA when the calculated monthly benefit is less than $10.

Who may qualify

A family normally must live in Maryland and include a dependent child. Applicants must meet citizenship or qualified noncitizen rules for the people requesting help. The adult may need to sign a Family Independence Plan and complete work, child support, and other program steps unless an exemption or good cause applies.

Household assets are not considered for TCA eligibility, but income is. TCA is not limited to unemployed parents. A working parent may qualify when countable income remains below the amount allowed for the household.

A relative caregiver may ask about a child-only case when the child lives with the relative. The adult’s income may be treated differently from a parent’s case. Ask DSS which people are in the assistance unit and which income is being counted.

Food benefits use separate rules. The ASMOM Maryland SNAP guide explains grocery help. The Maryland WIC guide covers pregnancy, infants, and children under 5.

How to apply for TCA

1. Complete the application. Apply through Maryland Benefits or submit a full paper application to DSS. Unlike an emergency SNAP filing, TCA generally requires the full application before it can be processed.
2. Save proof. Keep a confirmation number, screenshot, fax receipt, mail tracking, or date-stamped copy.
3. Complete the interview. A case manager reviews your household, income, children, work situation, child support, and barriers. Ask for a telephone interview if travel, work, illness, or another serious problem makes an office visit hard.
4. Send records. Upload, fax, mail, or deliver each requested item by the notice date. Keep proof for every batch.
5. Read the decision. Maryland normally must decide a TCA application within 30 days. You may appeal if there is no decision by that time or if you disagree with the action.

The DHS Customer Service Center is 1-800-332-6347. Ask the worker to confirm your local office, application date, interview date, and missing documents. Do not send original papers unless the office clearly requires them.

Documents and information to gather

Start the application even if one paper is missing, then ask what other proof DSS will accept. Use the ASMOM documents checklist to organize one folder.

Work rules, exemptions, and good cause

Maryland’s current TCA work manual generally requires a work-eligible adult to participate for 30 hours per week. A work-eligible parent with a child under 6 generally has a 20-hour requirement.

Some people are exempt. Examples include a single parent caring for a child under 1, an adult needed at home to care for a person with a serious disability, an adult working at least 30 hours per week, and a person approved for a family-violence exemption.

The official good-cause guide lists temporary illness, a court appearance, domestic violence, homelessness, transportation breakdown, child care breakdown, and failure to provide a reasonable disability accommodation as possible reasons for good cause.

If you miss an activity, contact the worker quickly. Maryland’s manual provides a 30-day conciliation period to help solve the problem before a work sanction. Ask what was missed, what proof is needed, and how to complete the next step.

Child care and transportation can affect participation. The ASMOM Maryland child care guide explains the current scholarship waitlist. The Maryland transportation guide lists other travel support.

Child support cooperation and safety

TCA usually requires cooperation with Maryland child support services. The Child Support Administration can help establish parentage, support, medical support, and payment enforcement. It does not act as your private lawyer in custody or visitation disputes.

Do not ignore a child support notice. Failure to cooperate without good cause can lead to a denial or reduction. If cooperation may put you or your child at risk, tell DSS that you need a private good-cause review before giving unsafe details.

The ASMOM Maryland child support guide explains agency services. The Maryland legal guide lists legal-aid options, including Maryland Legal Aid.

Payments, EBT, and case updates

TCA may be paid through EBT, direct deposit, or check. Cash benefits on an EBT card can be withdrawn or used at approved locations, but federal and state rules block cash access at casinos, adult entertainment businesses, and liquor-focused businesses.

Maryland began rolling out new chip-and-tap EBT cards in July 2026. The official EBT card update says customers should use ebtEDGE and never share a PIN. The cardholder helpline is 1-800-997-2222.

Report a move, new job, income change, household change, or other required change by the date on your notice. Check Maryland Benefits and your mail. Save copies of every change form and upload confirmation.

A Welfare Avoidance Grant may be offered when a short-term payment could keep a family from needing ongoing TCA. The WAG policy says families cannot file a separate WAG application. A case manager considers it during a TCA assessment, and local plans control covered needs and payment limits.

Other Maryland help to check

TCA may not cover every bill. Apply for separate programs that match the need.

• Use Maryland’s official SNAP page for grocery benefits.
• The child care status page says the program still has a waitlist, though some scholarships have been awarded from the list since July 1, 2026.
• Use the energy assistance page for electric and heating help.
• The Maryland WIC page explains food and nutrition help during pregnancy and early childhood.
• Use Maryland Health Connection for Medicaid, MCHP, and marketplace coverage.

ASMOM’s Maryland housing guide, utility help guide, and healthcare guide give more state-specific steps. The Maryland community guide can help with printing, local referrals, and nonprofit support.