The Texas Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), related to the federal SNAP program, is designed to provide cash for those families in economic need, in order to cover expenses such as clothes, food, housing, and other basic necessities. Qualifying households receive monthly payments with which they can buy various things so that they have a decent quality of life.
Among things things, the families that get this kind of SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) money, they can get food, clothes, pay for housing, utilities, furniture, transportation, telephony, laundry, household items, products that Medicaid does not cover, and several other more basic necessities. Families wishing to receive these funds must meet a number of minimum requirements.
How to qualify for the TANF money in Texas
The Texas TANF program is designed for families with children up to the age of 18, who can get help if they have little money or no way to earn it. A family can be: (1) parents with their children, or (2) people who take care of children who are their relatives.

The state of Texas has to review, first of all, how much money or funds the family has, the value of the things the family must pay for to have a minimally decent quality of life, and the amount the family pays for child care or child support.
There are limits on the income an applying household can receive per month in order to qualify for the TANF program in Texas. As for 2023, the income limit chart is the next, regarding the family’s house with only one child:
- 1 person: $64
- 2 people: $92
- 3 people: $130
- 4 people: $154
- 5 people: $198
The next is the chart for a household with one legal guardian:
- 1 person: $78
- 2 people: $163
- 3 people: $188
- 4 people: $226
- 5 people: $251
And this is the chart for a household with one legal guardian:
- 2 people: $125
- 3 people: $206
- 4 people: $132
- 5 people: $268
If the person applying is a grandparent who takes care of a minor who is their relative, it is possible that the child he takes care of may receive TANF benefits, even if your income exceeds those listed above.
According to the household’s size, this is the maximum amounts you could claim in Texas, for a family with just one single child, with one legal guardian, and with two parents or guardians, respectively:
- 1 person: $112 / $136
- 2 people: $161 / $283 / $216
- 3 people: $226 / $327 / $358
- 4 people: $269 / $393 / 402
- 5 people: $345 / $436 / $466
The TANF payment days in August 2023
Every month, money is deposited on the Texas’ SNAP Lone Star Card, based on the ending digit of your TANF Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number. If the number is 0, 1, 2, or 3, you will receive your benefits on August 1, but if your ending number is 4, 5, or 6, you will receive your benefits on August 2. Lastly, if the ending digit is 7, 8, or 9, you will receive your benefits on August 3. Find out your EDG number on the TF0001 form sent to you.
What is a TANF Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number?
A TANF Eligibility Determination Group (EDG) number is a unique identifier assigned to a group of individuals who are applying for government benefits together, such as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. An EDG is defined as members of a household whose needs, resources, income, and deductions are considered in determining eligibility for benefits
The EDG number is essential in tracking the application progress and benefit eligibility status of individuals or households. It is used by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to quickly locate information regarding a person’s application and benefits eligibility. When a household is approved for multiple programs, like TANF and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), separate EDG numbers are assigned for each program.