Child Only TANF

As a grandparent who has raised grandchildren, I want to make sure that grandparents in that position get all the help that they are able to get.  One thing that all states have in the United States is TANF.  There is a form of TANF called child only TANF.  No matter how much your income is if you are raising a relatives child and there is no parent in the home you can file for child only TANF and in all states, but four they will not count your income. You do not have to have guardianship or custody, you just have to prove you have the child.  You can also file for Medicaid for children and they will be covered and have insurance.  The amount of money you receive varies by state, in some states it is quite substantial, in others it is just a small amount.  However, anything helps.  They will try to go after the biological parents and get a child support order.  If domestic abuse is a problem, you need to let them know when you file for the child only TANF. Children will also be qualified for free lunch at school, just put your TANF number on the lunch form, not your income.  When you go to file for the TANF, do not put your income, only the child's income.  Sometimes you may go to social services and an ignorant worker will tell you there is no help out there.  If you have to keep talking until you find someone who knows what you are talking about do so or politely ask for the forms take them home and fill them out and just make sure you do not put your income and put child only at the top.  I do hope that someone who needs this information reads my blog.  Thanks for listening.