Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
Final Approved Draft TANF Plan May 1 2024– April 30 2026
About the Program
The Oneida Nation Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program’s mission is to promote work and personal responsibility to strengthen Oneida and other enrolled Native American families. We will work together with the customers and other community resources to promote program goals in a comprehensive manner while respecting individual dignity, culture, and self-worth.
All TANF services are federal grant funds from the Administration for Children & Families – Office of Family Assistance, services are subject to funding availability.
Eligibility: All TANF program components are for families with dependent children, Non-Custodial parents, and caretakers and must be enrolled members of the Oneida Nation residing in Brown or Outagamie County or enrolled member of another federally recognized Tribe that reside within the Oneida Nation reservation boundaries.
Services: TANF Cash Payment, TANF Crisis Program, TANF Diversion Program, TANF School Assistance (TBA), and TANF Summer Youth Program
TANF is based on the income guidelines set by the federal poverty level (FPL) income limits. Applicants must complete a TANF Application and provide all the required verification for the services requested.
This is not an entitlement program and eligibility will need to be determined. All diversion and crisis services require a 10% customer contribution.
TANF Cash Assistance Program
The Oneida Tribal TANF Program’s mission is to promote work and personal responsibility to strengthen Oneida and other enrolled Native American families.
TANF Cash Assistance
Cash assistance to provide cash payments to families that are experiencing barriers to becoming self-sufficient.
Caretaker of a New Born
To provide cash assistance when a new child is born where no other resources exist. First time expectant mothers may apply for services when in their seven (7) month of pregnancy. Second time parent(s) may apply within the first 12 weeks of their newborn.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be an Oneida enrolled tribal member living in the home and part of the family group residing in Brown County or Outagamie County, or
- Be an enrolled member in any federally recognized tribe living in the home and part of the family group residing within the Oneida Indian Reservation boundaries.
- Must not exceed the income limitations based on family size.
- Must be a United States citizen
TANF Crisis Services
The program may provide eligible adult parents, non-custodial parents, or caregivers with assistance with rent, security deposit, and utilities. TANF Crisis is designed to assist families who are experiencing a crisis including an eviction, fire, disconnection, or where a family is homeless or pending homelessness. TANF Crisis services require 10% customer contribution.
Services available 
- Rent/Mortgage
- Security Deposit
- Utilities (must have applied with energy assistance)
TANF will not pay rent, mortgage, security deposit and/or utilities if the applicant does not have ongoing sufficient financial means of paying the next month’s rent, mortgage, and/or utilities.
Required Verifications
- Landlord Verification Form (agency form)
- Proof of last three (3) months of consecutive rent/mortgage payments
- Current rental lease agreement/mortgage statement
- Verification of temporary interruption of income (example loss of wages due to illness/injury more than three (3) consecutive days, major appliance or vehicle repair expense of $100 or more)
TANF Diversion Services
The TANF Diversion program may assist families and non-custodial parents with support services to assist with obtaining or retaining employment while working toward self-sufficiency. All diversion services require 10% customer contribution.
Services available
- Auto Insurance
- Auto Repair/Towing Fees
- Vehicle Diagnostic Testing
- AODA Assessment
- AODA or Mental Health Counseling Fees
- Childcare Transportation Costs or Registration Fee (limited)
- Ignition Interlock Device Install
- Traffic Fines
- Professional License Fees
- Educational Expense (short-term less than 10 weeks)
- Work clothes, shoes, and tools
- Transportation for New Employment (fuel, transit, or bus passes)
- Household Items (recent interruption of income)
- Driver’s License Fee
- Birth Certificates
- Newborn Assistance
TANF Applications and Required Verifications
Applications received incomplete missing required verification’s you will receive notification. Applications are valid for 30 calendar days. Failure to provide required verification’s you will receive notification that you must reapply.
TANF Program Job Search Verification Form
All applications require the following verifications:
- Tribal enrollment verification (Tribal ID card or enrollment letter)
- Proof of all household income for the last 30 days (TANF/W-2, paystubs from employment, unemployment, SSI, SSDI, disability payments, workman’s compensation, child support, alimony, veteran’s benefits, self-employment verification with tax return, etc.)
- Proof of residency (postmarked piece of mail within in the last 30 days or current utility bill)
- Non-Custodian parent must provide their current child support order
- Legal Guardian must provide court order of placement or statement from Child Protective Services or Social Worker.
Service requested required verifications:
AODA Assessment/Drivers Safety, Group Dynamics, Multi Offender
- Verification of court-ordered AODA assessment, driver’s safety, group dynamics, multiple offender
Auto Insurance
- Two (2) six-month insurance quotes with matching coverage levels if you have no current insurance on vehicle
- One (1) six month quote with a copy of proof current insurance card
Auto Repair
- Valid Driver’s License
- Valid Vehicle Registration
- Proof of Insurance
- Two (2) estimate from ASE certified auto repair service, or one (1) estimate if vehicle is not safe to drive (must be noted on estimate)
Driver’s License Fees
Verification from Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) of driver license fees
Educational Expense
Verification of short-term (less than 10 weeks) training fees, must be employed in field or pending job offer
Household Items
Verification of temporary interruption of income (examples; loss of wages due to illness/injury more than three (3) consecutive days, major appliance repair/replace, vehicle repair, or expense of $100 or more)
Ignition Interlock Device Installation
- Verification of required device in vehicle
- Cost of installation and first two (2) monthly fees
- Cost share is required prior to program issuing payment
Newborn Assistance
Birth announcement of baby that is born within the first 12 weeks of life
Rent/Security Deposit
- Landlord Verification Form (agency form)
- Proof of last three (3) months of consecutive rent/mortgage payments
- Current rental lease agreement/mortgage statement
- Verification of temporary interruption of income (example loss of wages due to illness/injury more than three (3) consecutive days, major appliance or vehicle repair expense of $100 or more)
Traffic Fines
Verification of traffic fines showing amount, charge/violation code, with name and address
Utilities
- Utility disconnection notice (you must first apply with Energy Assistance Program)
- Proof of last three (3) months of consecutive utility payments
- Verification of temporary interruption of income (example loss of wages due to illness/injury more than three (3) consecutive days, major appliance or vehicle repair expense of $100 or more)
Work clothes/shoes/tools
Verification of new employment on letterhead (include employer name and address, start date, wage, hours, and pay frequency, lift of required tools, clothing, shoes, required) or TANF Employment Verification Form (agency form)
Federal Poverty Level Income Limits (FPL)- Effective 2/1/2024 as issued by HHS
Oneida Nation TANF Program Federal Poverty Level Income Limits Link –
The Federal Poverty Level Income Limit is updated every February of the year.
