Families First (Tennessee TANF)
Last updated: September 25, 2026 · By O.B.
Families First is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Tennessee, administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). It provides temporary cash assistance and support services to eligible families with children.
What is Families First?
Families First is the cash assistance portion of the Tennessee TANF program. It provides temporary monthly cash payments along with employment, training, and support services aimed at helping families become self-sufficient. TDHS reviews applications and determines eligibility.
Who is eligible?
Under the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) TANF State Plan, a family may qualify if it lives in Tennessee and includes a child under 18, a child under 19 expected to finish high school (or equivalent training) by their 19th birthday, a pregnant woman in her last trimester, or the parents or caretakers of a child receiving SSI. The child must live with a parent or a qualifying relative. Everyone in the assistance group must be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen with a Social Security number.
Resources: the asset limit is $2,000. Up to $4,600 of the equity in one vehicle does not count (TDHS eligibility page).
Time limit and work: cash assistance is limited to 60 months in a lifetime. Participants agree to a Personal Responsibility Plan, and adults who are not exempt take part in 30 hours a week of work or training activities.
Income limits and payment amounts (effective July 1, 2021)
Families First uses two income tests. The family's gross countable income must be at or below the Gross Income Standard (GIS), which TDHS sets at 185% of the Consolidated Need Standard (CNS). Income after disregards is then compared with the CNS. TDHS pays the difference between the CNS and countable income, or the standard grant for the family size, whichever is less. Source: TDHS chart "Families First CNS/GIS Increases – Effective 7/1/2021" and TDHS's December 2025 federal caseload report, which describes the CNS in effect since July 1, 2021 as current.
| Family size | Gross income limit (GIS) | Net income limit (CNS) | Standard grant | Differential grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,806 | $976 | $244 | $344 |
| 2 | $2,535 | $1,370 | $343 | $443 |
| 3 | $2,866 | $1,549 | $387 | $487 |
| 4 | $3,241 | $1,752 | $438 | $538 |
| 5 | $3,487 | $1,885 | $471 | $571 |
| 6 | $3,717 | $2,009 | $502 | — |
| 7 | $3,924 | $2,121 | $530 | — |
| 8 | $4,114 | $2,224 | $582 | — |
| 9 | $4,255 | $2,300 | $643 | — |
| 10 | $4,390 | $2,373 | $704 | — |
| 11 | $4,695 | $2,538 | $766 | — |
| 12 | $4,836 | $2,614 | $829 | — |
| 13 | $4,956 | $2,679 | $894 | — |
| 14 | $5,067 | $2,739 | $960 | — |
| 15 | $5,173 | $2,796 | $1,028 | — |
| 16 | $5,278 | $2,853 | $1,096 | — |
| 17 | $5,374 | $2,905 | $1,164 | — |
| 18 | $5,469 | $2,956 | $1,230 | — |
| 19 | $5,561 | $3,006 | $1,295 | — |
| 20 | $5,650 | $3,054 | $1,354 | — |
The differential grant is a higher maximum payment that TDHS's State Plan says some families receive based on caretaker work exemptions; the TDHS chart lists it for family sizes 1–5 only. If your income is near a limit, apply — TDHS decides eligibility and the amount.
How income is counted: the State Plan lists a $250 earned-income disregard, and child-care disregards of $200 a month for a child under 2 and $175 a month for a child 2 or older for parents who choose a deduction instead of TDHS paying the provider.
Example (illustration only; TDHS decides): a parent and two children (family of 3) with $1,000 a month in gross earnings. Gross test: $1,000 is below the $2,866 GIS. Net test: even before any disregard, $1,000 is below the $1,549 CNS. The difference is at least $549 ($1,549 − $1,000), which is more than the $387 standard grant, so the monthly payment this family may receive is capped at $387, or $487 if the family qualifies for the differential grant.
What we could not verify
- Whether a newer chart exists. The TDHS chart is dated effective 7/1/2021 and TDHS's December 2025 report calls that CNS current, but the State Plan says the CNS is calculated annually. We found no later chart on TDHS's site.
- Which caretaker work exemptions qualify for the differential grant. The chart does not list them.
- Every disregard and deduction TDHS applies. We list only those named in the State Plan.
How to apply
You can apply for Families First through the One DHS Customer Portal online, by mail, or in person at a local TDHS office. After applying, you may need to complete an interview and provide documentation of income, household, and other details.
Official source
For official, up-to-date information, visit TDHS Families First (tn.gov).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Families First the same as TANF?
Yes. Families First is the name of the Tennessee Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
Who administers Families First?
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) administers the Families First program.
Where do I apply for Families First?
You can apply through the One DHS Customer Portal online, by mail, or in person at a local TDHS office.
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