Montana TANF Cash Assistance: 2026 Benefits and Moving In or Out
Moving TO Montana
Montana TANF does not accept transferred cases from other states: every new Montana resident applies fresh through Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division). There is no waiting period tied to how recently you arrived — eligibility is decided on Montana's own income and household rules from the day you become a resident.
Leaving Montana
Leaving Montana ends your Montana TANF case — no state will take it over. Close the case with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division) effective your move month, then apply in your destination state immediately after arriving.
Official agency: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division) ↗ (application page)
Montana TANF at a glance
| Program name | Montana TANF |
|---|---|
| Max monthly benefit (family of 3) | $725 |
| Time limit | 60 months |
| Processing | Not published on the DPHHS TANF page; Montana Public Assistance Helpline 888-706-1535 |
How to apply for TANF in Montana
Apply with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division) online at apply.mt.gov. Go to the official application page ↗
Processing time: Not published on the DPHHS TANF page; Montana Public Assistance Helpline 888-706-1535.
Common questions
How much does TANF pay in Montana?
Up to $725 a month for a family of three. Montana sets a 60-month time limit for adults.
Do TANF months from another state count in Montana?
Generally yes. The federal 60-month lifetime limit counts every month of federally funded TANF an adult received in any state, and Montana will ask about past receipt when you apply.
How do I apply for TANF in Montana?
Apply with Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division) online at apply.mt.gov. Processing time: not published on the DPHHS TANF page; Montana Public Assistance Helpline 888-706-1535.
Who runs TANF in Montana?
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division). The official page and application link are cited below — always act through them.
Does Montana make new residents wait for TANF?
No state may impose a residency waiting period for TANF. You apply as soon as you live in Montana; eligibility is decided on Montana's own rules.
Where do I report that I'm leaving Montana?
Contact Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (Human and Community Services Division) (official link below) to report the move and close your case effective your move month.
Every move involving Montana
From Montana to…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
To Montana from…
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Other benefits in Montana
- Medicaid in Montana
- SNAP in Montana
- WIC in Montana
- Unemployment in Montana
- TANF in every state
- State benefits statistics
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 .
- Montana DPHHS TANF — accessed 2026-08-08