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Transferring TANF from Michigan to Texas

TANF stays behind, rules change ahead. Michigan closes your case at the move; Texas runs its own program through Texas Health and Human Services Commission, often under a different name and different math. Apply promptly after arriving, and bring your Michigan case history — it speeds the lifetime-limit accounting.

Texas also sets a state time limit of 12, 24 or 36 months, depending on each adult's education and work history, shorter than the federal 60-month cap, and an adult who reaches it generally cannot get TANF for the next 60 months.

Official Texas TANF agency: Texas Health and Human Services Commission ↗ (application page)

Your step-by-step checklist

Before you move

  1. 1

    Tell Michigan Department of Health and Human Services you are leaving the state

    Ask for your cash-assistance case to be closed as of your move. TANF cannot pay you in two states at once.

    Michigan Department of Health and Human Services ↗

Moving week

  1. 2

    Know that your lifetime clock travels with you

    Months of TANF you have already used count toward the federal 60-month lifetime limit in every state — moving does not reset it, and some states set shorter limits.

After you arrive

  1. 3

    Apply with Texas Health and Human Services Commission after you arrive

    Benefit amounts and rules differ sharply between states — expect a different monthly amount and new work requirements.

    Online application ↗

Michigan vs Texas: the numbers that decide it

 Michigan (old state)Texas (new state)
Program nameFamily Independence Program (FIP)Texas TANF
AgencyMichigan Department of Health and Human ServicesTexas Health and Human Services Commission
Max monthly benefit (family of 3)not publishednot published
Time limit60 months12, 24 or 36 months (by adult), then a 60-month wait
Verified 2026-08-08 (Michigan) and 2026-10-02 (Texas) against the official sources cited below.

Moving with more than one benefit?

The checklist generator merges Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, unemployment, and TANF into one ordered to-do list for this exact move.

Build the full Michigan → Texas checklist

Common questions

Does my TANF time limit reset when I move to Texas?

No. The federal 60-month lifetime limit counts TANF months from every state — moving never resets it. Texas gives each adult a state time limit of 12, 24 or 36 months, based on education and work history, on top of the federal 60-month limit. An adult who reaches the end of the state limit cannot get TANF for the next five years unless a hardship exemption applies.

Will I get the same monthly amount in Texas?

Probably not. TANF amounts are set state by state and differ widely. Check Texas Health and Human Services Commission's published payment standards for your family size before you budget around the move.

Can I apply for TANF in Texas before I move?

No — you must be a Texas resident to apply. Apply as soon as you arrive, and if the move itself created a crisis, ask Texas Health and Human Services Commission about emergency or diversion assistance, which some states pay faster than ongoing TANF.

Where do I actually apply in Texas?

Through Texas Health and Human Services Commission (online application linked above). Official TANF pages for both states are cited at the bottom of this page.

Related guides

Other benefits on the same move

Terms on this page: TANF 60-month lifetime limit · Federal poverty level (FPL) · EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer)

Official sources

Every fact above was checked against these official pages. Last verified .

Written by Benefits Transfer Editorial Team

Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor

Last verified