Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC)

TAFDC provides cash assistance to pregnant women and
families with children.

Q1: Can I get TAFDC benefits if I am a college
student?

You may be eligible to receive TAFDC if your income is
low and you are the parent or relative of a child in your care, or you are
pregnant and your baby is due in four months or less.

• Depending on the age of your youngest child, many TAFDC
  recipients have to meet a Work Program requirement of 20, 24, or 30 hours a
  week.
• You can count 12 months of college or training
  towards the Work Program requirement (this could be three or four semesters) as
  long as the program is at least half time, the activities are expected to lead
  to a job, and you are making satisfactory progress. Each credit hour counts as
  two hours of participation (for example, 12 credit hours count as 24 hours of
  your Work Program requirement). You can also count additional hours of study or
  lab time, if they are supervised.
• After you have attended college or training for
  12 months, you may be able to go to school and still meet the Work Program
  requirement.  For example, you could participate in a work-study program or a volunteer
  job at the college.
• Some TAFDC recipients are not subject to the Work
  Program requirement.

Q2:  What are the TAFDC benefits for college
students?

If you are eligible for TAFDC, you may receive all of
the following:

• A monthly cash benefit (paid semi-monthly). The
  amount varies based on income, family size, and other factors.  For example,
  the basic benefit for a family of three with no countable income and not
  subject to the Work Program is $593 a month, plus $40 a month if you pay rent
  for private, unsubsidized housing.
• Food Stamps/SNAP benefits
• MassHealth (health insurance)
• An additional $150 per child in September to buy
  clothing
• Free child care for college and work activities
• Transportation assistance for college and work
  activities

Q3:  Where do I apply for
TAFDC?

Apply at your local DTA office. Find your local DTA office online, or call
617.348.8500.