About TANF/POWER
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides temporary cash assistance for families in need.
There are two forms of TANF in Wyoming:
- The POWER Work program
- Helps individuals find employment or other forms of financial stability based specifically on YOUR needs.
- Provides free Child Support assistance.
- The POWER Caretaker Relative program
- Provides cash assistance to family members, such as Grandparents, Aunts or Uncles, who are the primary caregiver to children whose parents are not in the same home and are responsible for the daily care and control of the children.
- Provides free Child Support assistance.
Who is eligible?
Wyoming residents who are:
- Responsible for daily care of a child under the age of 18.
- Meet citizenship and alien status requirements.
- Meet income and resource requirements.
- (POWER Caretaker Relative program only counts the income and resources of the child, not the caretaker relative.)
Income and Resource Requirements:
Your TANF/POWER benefits are based on your family size and income. If a member of your family is working, some of your earned income may be disregarded. Your family must have $5,000 or less in resources.
Resources are things like:
- Checking and savings accounts.
- Income producing property.
- Stocks, bonds, or mutual funds.
Your worker will help you understand what income and resources we consider and how it will affect your case.
Monthly benefit amounts:
- POWER Work Program for a family of three, with no income, could receive monthly TANF/POWER cash assistance in the amount of $781.
- POWER Caretaker Relative Program for one child with no income or resources, could receive a monthly benefit of $259.
Child Support Requirements:
If you are found eligible for the TANF/POWER Program, you will be required to cooperate with Child Support, and all services are provided at no cost.
The POWER Work Program expects that you will:
- Attend all required appointments.
- Engage in required POWER Work Program activities that are created to meet your specific situation such as:Resume and application help, practice employment, short term and long term employment planning, personal improvement strategies, healthy parenting, time management, practice interviews training and budgeting information.
- You may even be eligible for employment training to increase your skills to help you get a job.
Temporary illness or injury?
There are even POWER services that can help you during your recovery or while you wait for decisions from disability programs.
- Additional activities include; healthy recovery plans, physical therapy, counseling (self or children), stress management, referrals to help agencies including Vocational Rehabilitation and personal budgeting during a crisis.
A job, a better job, a better life!
If you are participating in the POWER Work Program, your Case Manager will do everything possible to help you succeed. In addition to helping you find a job POWER can help you with other expenses including:
- Work clothing
- Transportation
- Vehicle repair
- Tools and equipment
- Relocation expenses
Once approved your POWER Case Manager can tell you more about these services or CLICK HERE to learn more. You can also view the POWER Brochure for more information.
How to Apply:
You can apply for TANF/POWER programs by downloading and completing the application and contacting your local DFS office local Department of Family Services office for an appointment.
For More Information contact:
Kayla Caines
SNAP/POWER Program Manager
Wyoming Department of Family Services
Phone: 307-856-6522
kayla.caines2@wyo.gov
