Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Social Security Programs

"People don't eat in the long run, they eat every day." -Harry Hopkins

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Federal law sets the TANF framework. Colorado law and rules decide most details, and counties may add their own policies for some services.

Federal law: Social Security Act Title IV-A, 42 U.S.C. 601–619.
Federal regulations: 45 CFR Parts 260–265 (work rules, time limits, state reporting).
Colorado law: Colorado Works Program Act, C.R.S. 26-2-701 to 26-2-726.
Colorado rules: 9 CCR 2503-6, Colorado Works rules (grant standards, income rules, time limits).
County policies: counties set some rules, such as diversion payments and supportive services.

Primary sources

42 U.S.C. Chapter 7, Part A (Cornell LII) — the federal TANF law.
45 CFR Chapter II (eCFR) — federal TANF regulations, Parts 260–265.
C.R.S. Title 26, Article 2, Part 7 (Justia) — the Colorado Works statute.
9 CCR 2503-6 benefit rules (Cornell LII) — how Colorado Works benefits are figured.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

TANF is a federal block grant, supervised by the state and run by Colorado's 64 counties.

HHS Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance: gives Colorado its TANF block grant and checks work participation and spending rules.
Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS): supervises Colorado Works and writes the state rules.
County human services departments: take applications, decide eligibility, run employment services and pay benefits.
Office of Administrative Courts: hears appeals of county decisions.

Primary sources

HHS Office of Family Assistance — federal oversight of TANF.
Colorado Works (CDHS) — state program information and county contacts.
Colorado Office of Administrative Courts — public benefits hearings and appeals.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

Colorado Works is for very low-income families with children, and for pregnant people.

Family: a child under 18 (or 18 and in school full time) living with a parent or caretaker relative, or a pregnant person.
Income: countable income must be below the Colorado Works need standard, which is very low. For example, a single parent with two children can have only about $421 a month in countable income (2025–26 figure). Part of earned income is not counted.
No asset limit: Colorado does not count savings or other assets for Colorado Works cash help.
Other rules: live in Colorado; be a U.S. citizen or qualifying noncitizen; work with Child Support Services; and adults take part in an individual plan with work activities.
Time limit: 60 months (5 years) of federal TANF cash help in a lifetime for adults, with hardship extensions.

How to apply

Apply online at Colorado PEAK, in the MyCOBenefits app, or at the county human services office.

Primary sources

Colorado Works (CDHS) — eligibility basics and how to apply.
Colorado TANF profile 2025–26 (NCCP) — Colorado income limit, benefit amount and policy choices.
Colorado PEAK — apply or renew online.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

Colorado Works pays monthly cash on an EBT card and helps adults find and keep work.

Basic Cash Assistance: about $620 a month for a single parent with two children (2025–26 figure). Amounts are set in state rules and adjusted each July.
Work pays: much of a parent's earnings is not counted, so families can work and keep some help.
Child support: Colorado passes child support payments through to the family.
Diversion: a one-time payment for a short-term need (like a car repair or rent) instead of monthly aid.
Employment services: job search, training, education and help with costs like transportation and work clothes.
Appeals: families can appeal a county decision through a state hearing.

Primary sources

Colorado TANF profile 2025–26 (NCCP) — benefit amounts and Colorado policies.
Colorado Works (CDHS) — services and county contacts.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) gives cash help and job support to low-income families with children. Colorado's TANF program is called Colorado Works and is run by county human services departments.

1935: The Social Security Act created Aid to Dependent Children, later called AFDC.
August 22, 1996: The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) replaced AFDC with TANF block grants, work requirements and a 60-month time limit.
July 1, 1997: Colorado Works began, with counties running the program.
2005: The Deficit Reduction Act tightened federal work participation rules.
2022: Colorado HB22-1259 raised Basic Cash Assistance by 10% and changed rules so working families keep help longer.

Primary sources

TANF (HHS Office of Family Assistance) — the federal program overview.
HB22-1259 (Colorado General Assembly) — the 2022 Colorado Works changes.
Colorado Works (CDHS) — the state program page.

Sources last checked October 2, 2026. Rules change. Always confirm with the source before advising a client.

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