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JOBS/Tribal TANF

The Jobs, Opportunities, Benefits, and Services Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (JOBS/TTANF) program provides a variety of benefits and services to Cherokee Nation families, Federally-recognized tribes, Alaska Native families, and eligible dependent children. The goal of the program is to provide opportunities that will allow families to attain and maintain self-sufficiency. To meet the goal, the program aims to provide temporary support in meeting basic needs, promote and offer training/education that will lead to employment, and offer youth services.

Benefits and services are provided in accordance with the four purpose areas as established by Public Law 104-193, which are:

1. End dependence of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation, to increase participant’s employability and promote self-sufficiency.
2. Provide assistance (or other forms of support) to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the homes of relatives.
3. Educate to prevent and reduce the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
4. Encourage the formation and maintenance of two-parent families.

Services:  The Jobs, Opportunities, Benefits, and Services Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (JOBS/TTANF) program provides a variety of benefits and services which include Cash Assistance, Adult Employment and Vocational Programs (AEVP), Incentives for Adults, Supportive Services, Non-recurring short term benefits (NRST), Children and Youth Services, Suspension Services, Transitional Services, and Diversion Assistance.

Eligibility:  All of the following are general factors of eligibility, if applicable, that must be met and documented for eligibility:

1. Verification of at least one family member in the assistance unit who is a citizen of a Federally Recognized Tribe, unless the only eligible member is a child under the age of one with documentation of eligibility for tribal enrollment.
2. The household must have one dependent child that is or under age 18 and/or has not attained 19 years of age and is a full-time student in an accredited school (or in the equivalent level of vocation or technical training).
3. Must have legal custody of dependents. If joint custody exists with no possibility of child support, the family is ineligible for assistance.
4. Must be a U.S. Citizen or have an eligible alien status.
5. Must reside in the Cherokee Nation Tribal TANF Service Area.
6. Unless the participant meets an exemption or exclusion criteria, all participants must cooperate with either a State Child Support Enforcement Division or a Tribal Child Support Enforcement Division.
7. Must meet 150% Federal Poverty Guidelines

Additional factors may exist to determine eligibility.

For any inquiries or additional questions regarding the program, please contact your local Career Services office or email tanf@cherokee.org.