Tribal Temporary Assistance For
Needy Families (TANF)

TANF Cash Aid application

PROFESSIONALISM •  INTEGRITY  •  TEAMWORK  •  LEADERSHIP  •  RESPECT  •  COMPASSION  •  NATIVE CULTURE

Forms

OVCDC’s Tribal TANF Programs focus on four purposes:.

  • To provide assistance to needy families so that their children may be cared for in their own homes.
  • To end the dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage.
  • To prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
  • To encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.
Isabella Duarte

Cash Aid Program and Key Elements

  • Eligibility limited to families.
  • Time Limits – 60 months in a lifetime limit for employable adults.
  • Program focuses on work, self-sufficiency and personal responsibility.
  • Member or Descendent of a Federally recognized tribe or California Indian Judgment rolls.

Services Provided

  • Cash assistance.
  • Referrals to employment, education and training providers.
  • Supportive Services – Child Care, transportation, other.
  • Incentive Payments – Clothing allowances for school children attending school, payments upon successful completion of activities, other.
  • Prevention Program – Services or activities that meet TANF Purpose 3 (Pregnancy Prevention) or 4 (Family Formation and Maintenance)
  • Coordination and/or funding for services/activities for families and children who are at risk of being on public assistance focusing on traditional culture, art, education, culture, recreation, music and sport.

Tribal TANF Prevention Services

The Owens Valley Career Development Center offers prevention services for our TANF cash aid clients and Native American communities within our service areas. The focus of the prevention department is to provide educational workshops and activities that will strengthen life skills, healthy decision making and reinforce the Native American culture towards self-sufficiency and stronger family bonds

Eligibility

Cash Aid Eligibility Requirements:

  • Income – Equal to or less than 200% of the Federal Poverty level.
  • Resources – Countable resources not to exceed $10,000.00
  • Adults able to work, must satisfactorily participate in approved work activities.
    • A one-parent family must participate for a minimum 28 hours per week.
    • A two-parent family must participate for a minimum of 32 hours per week.
  • Approved Work Activities include, but not limited to:
    • Employment
    • Work experience (WEX)
    • On-the-Job training (OJT)
    • Subsidized Employment
    • Job club/Job search
    • Community service training
    • Post-secondary education
    • Vocational education
    • Job skills training directly related to employment
    • Education directly related to employment
    • Domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health counseling/treatment
    • Vocation rehabilitation
    • Small business/micro enterprise training
    • Life skills training
    • Native American culture related education and training activities