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

• Arizona Department of Economic Security

Arkansas

• Arkansas Department of Human Services

California

• California Department of Social Services

Colorado

• Division of Child Welfare Services (Colorado Dept. of Human Services)

Connecticut

• Connecticut Department of Social Services

Delaware

• Delaware Health and Social Services

District of Columbia

• D.C. Department of Human Services

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

• Idaho Department of Health & Welfare: Child Care

Illinois

• Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

Indiana

• Indiana Public Assistance (State of Indiana)

Iowa

• Iowa Department of Human Services

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

• Maine Dept. of Health & Human Services

Maryland

• Maryland Department of Human Resources

Massachusetts

• Massachusetts Department of Social Services

Michigan

• Department of Human Services - Assistance Programs

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

• Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services

New Hampshire

• Division of Family Assistance (New Hampshire Dept. of Health & Human Serv.)

New Jersey

• New Jersey Department of Human Services

New Mexico

• Income Support Division (New Mexico Human Services Dept.)

New York

• New York Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

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

• Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

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

• Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

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

• Tennessee Dept. of Human Services

Texas

• yourtexasbenefits.com (Texas Dept. of Human Services)

Utah

• Child and Family Services

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

• West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources

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.