Agency need standards are used to determine eligibility and payment amounts. The need standard includes food, clothing, recreation, personal incidentals, fuel for heating, cooking and water heating, electricity for refrigeration and lights, household supplies, medical chest supplies and shelter.
If all or a portion of monthly income is budgetable, the reduction in the benefit amount is dollar for dollar. However, there are specific deductions allowed for earned income and application of the earnings disregard for certain household members entitled to use them.
The following link provides a guide to income levels and maximum payment amounts. A maximum payment is issued when there is no countable income.
To review current TANF need standards, click here.