The TANF payment level is the amount of money Illinois pays each month. The amount of money depends on the size of the "unit" (the people getting the grant) and the type of assistance.

You can find your payment level by looking at the TANF Program Payment Level Table. The maximum amount goes up on Oct. 1st every year. It is 30% of the federal poverty levels.

Learn more about TANF.

Earned income

If you work and get TANF, you must report your wages and copies of your pay stubs four times a year. DHS will use this information to predict how much of your income will count towards your payment. You do not have to work or be in a work activity if you are:

• age 60 or older,
• you care for a child under age one, or
• you receive TANF only for a child and you are not the child’s parent.

If you are a parent under age 20 and don’t have a high school diploma or GED, you cannot be exempt to care for a child under age one.

Your payment will only change if your family income falls below your payment level. If that happens, you can request an extra payment to bring your total income to your payment level. You must make this request in writing.

DHS will then schedule a meeting, which you must attend. If you do not come to the meeting, your case will be canceled. You can appeal this decision. You should appeal if:

• You did not get notice of the meeting; or
• You had a very good reason to miss the meeting.

DHS will usually hold a meeting instead of going through the appeals process. After the meeting, they will usually reopen your case.

If DHS does not give you another meeting, you should reapply for TANF as soon as possible.

Lump sums

If you receive a lump sum payment, it will be counted as income for the month in which you receive it. The following payments are considered lump sum:

• Back pay for Social Security benefits
• Lottery payments
• Money you inherit
• Settlements

If your application is approved you will get your cash benefits on an Illinois LINK card. Learn more about Getting food stamps (SNAP).