State Public Assistance/Welfare Information
Created by FindLaw's team of legal writers and editors | Last updated October 29, 2018
Caring for a child is expensive. Given today's economic climate and rising child care costs, many families are seeking financial assistance through federal and state public assistance programs. The federal government's primary assistance program is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, while each state has its own individual assistance program.
Use the list below to find state public assistance and welfare information.
State Public Assistance Information
Alabama
- Family Assistance Program (Alabama Dept. of Human Resources)
Alaska
- Alaska Division of Public Assistance (State of Alaska)
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
- Division of Child Welfare Services (Colorado Dept. of Human Services)
Connecticut
Delaware
District of Columbia
Florida
- Economic Self Sufficiency (Florida Dept. of Children & Families)
Georgia
- Parent & Children Services (GA Dept. of Human Resources)
Hawaii
- Benefit, Employment and Support Services Division (BESSD) (Hawaii Dept.of Human Services)
- Child Welfare Services (Hawaii Dept.of Human Services)
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
- Indiana Public Assistance (State of Indiana)
Iowa
Kansas
- Kansas Department for Children and Families (Kansas.gov)
Kentucky
- Programs and Services: Children (KY Cabinet for Health & Family Services)
Louisiana
- Child Welfare Services (LA Dept. of Social Services)
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
- Economic Supports (Minnesota Department of Human Services)
Mississippi
- Division of Economic Assistance (Mississippi Department of Human Services)
Missouri
- Income Maintenance & Self-Sufficiency Programs (Missouri Department of Social Services)
Montana
- Public Assistance Programs (Department of Public Health and Human Services)
Nebraska
- Financial Assistance (Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services)
Nevada
New Hampshire
- Division of Family Assistance (New Hampshire Dept. of Health & Human Serv.)
New Jersey
New Mexico
- Income Support Division (New Mexico Human Services Dept.)
New York
North Carolina
- Child Support: Public Assistance Cases (N.C. Dept. of Health & Human Serv.)
North Dakota
- Financial Help (North Dakota Department of Human Services)
- Publications: Financial Help
Ohio
Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Family Support Services Division (Oklahoma Department of Human Services)
Oregon
- DHS Food, Cash and Housing Assistance (Oregon Department of Human Services)
- Oregon Helps! (Multnomah County)
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
- Rhode Island Department of Human Services
- Child Welfare (RI Dept. of Children, Youth & Families)
South Carolina
- Office of Family Assistance (South Carolina Department of Social Services)
South Dakota
- Division of Economic Assistance (South Dakota Department of Social Services)
Tennessee
Texas
- yourtexasbenefits.com (Texas Dept. of Human Services)
Utah
Vermont
- Economic Services Division (Vermont Department for Children and Families)
Virginia
- Financial Assistance (VA Dept. of Social Services)
Washington
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Washington Department of Social and Health Services)
West Virginia
Wisconsin
- Dept. of Human Services (Dane County)
Wyoming
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (Wyoming Department of Family Services)
Need More State Public Assistance Information? An Attorney Can Help
Making ends meet can be extremely difficult for single parents, so it's good to know that there are public services available for those in need. And depending on your situation, you may need some help navigating the law. Some attorneys and legal clinics operate on a sliding scale or provide pro bono (free) legal services. Find out more by speaking with a child support attorney near you.
Next Steps
Contact a qualified child support attorney to make sure your rights are protected.