Tribal TANF Provides Cash Assistance and Case Management

The Tribal TANF program is designed to accomplish four goals:

  • To provide assistance to needy families so that children may be cared for in their own homes or in the home of relatives
  • To end dependency of needy parents on government benefits by promoting job preparation
  • To prevent and reduce in the incidence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies and 
  • To encourage the formation of two-parent families.  The Tribes are given a lot of flexibility to admistratrate the TANF program, the type and amount of assistance payments, the range of other services to be provided, and rules for determining who is eligible for benefits.

Tribal TANF Administrator: Elizabeth Gobert, egobert@blackfeetnation.com 

Tribal TANF Case Management Administrator: Marla Knoplfe, mknopfle@blackfeetnation.com

Who we are

The Tribal TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) program, formerly Aid to Families with Dependent Children program provides cash assistance to 100% Blackfeet Enrolled Members, all household members need to be enrolled in Blackfeet the Blackfeet Tribe, all Blackfeet descendant’s and other federally recognized Indian Tribes will go to the Glacier Office Of Public Assistance for services, located at 121 1st Ave N W, Browning, Mt. or you can apply on their website: http://apply.mt.gov

TANF recipients must participate in work activities to receive benefits. This means that parents receiving TANF must be employed in some capacity, be working toward employment or taking classes aimed at increasing their long-term employability. Ultimately, the goal of TANF is to provide families in need with a combination of financial assistance and work opportunities so that they can eventually become independent.

Code of Conduct:

Both Blackfeet Tribal TANF eligibility staff and TANF applicant will treat each other professionally,

provide all necessary information to ensure program requirements are met and program services are

provided with positive outcomes.

Mission

The mission of the Blackfeet Tribal TANF Program is to ensure that Indian families are provided

opportunities for financial stability and self-sufficiency, so that their children are assured a future of

cultural integrity and life choices.

Debi Card Information

Tribal TANF submits payments to the Debit Cards on the 1st and the 15th of every month..

What services we provide

  • Cash Assistance
  • Child Only Grant
  • Supportive Services
  • Transitional Services
  • Case Management

Other referral services within Blackfeet Manpower that clients may participate in to assist in becoming self-sufficient

  • Ojt (On-the-job-training
  • Community Services
  • Job Training
  • Child Care
  • Job Search
  • Wex (Work Experience)
  • Stipends
  • Jrt (Job Readiness Training)
  • Fatherhood/Motherhood Is Sacred
  • Summer Youth Services  WIOA 

How to apply

The Tribal TANF program is administered by the Blackfeet Manpower One-Stop Center and you may apply online or in-person at the Blackfeet Manpower office located at:

409 N. Piegan St.

Browning, Mt

Telephone: (406) 338-2111

If you need assistance filling out your application, please call (406) 338-2111 to make an appointment.

Work Activity-Non Compliance

All TANF recipients excluding Child Only (caretaker relative) cases are required to negotiate a Family Futures Contract (FFC) during the initial interview and at re-certifications. Benefits cannot be issued until this eligibility requirement is met. You will be required to take part in employment and training activities (work participation) through the Blackfeet Manpower Program. There are times you will not be required to take part in these activities because you are exempt or excluded.

Exceptions to the work rule for single-parent households, if you have a child under 12 months old you can be disregarded from the work participation hours. Other exceptions are as follows:

  • Any single or two-parent household members who have a medical reason that limits you from participating in work participation may be exempt, verification from a physician is required.
  • If you are a single parent caring for a severely disabled child, again verification is required.

What happens if you are unable to meet the work requirements?

The Blackfeet Tribal TANF program may sanction the adults in the household for up to six (6) months depending on what sanction level a participant may be on. Sanctions are as follows:

  1. First (1st) sanction = loss of one (1) month of adult portion;
  2. Second (2nd) sanction= loss of second (2nd) month of adult grant portion.
  3. Third (3rd) sanction= three (3) months total household ineligibility period.
  4. Fourth (4th) sanction= Six (6) months total household ineligibility period.

Ineligibility period: The ineligibility period’ refers to the time period for total case closure and ineligibility period posed against the following: All individuals who were considered to be a TANF recipient in the household at the time of the sanction. Individuals who were required filing unit members at the time of the sanction. All individuals who enter the household during the ineligibility period and who would have been a required filing unit member at the time of sanction.

The sanction ineligibility periods increase depending on the number of sanctions the participant has imposed against them. Client’s can claim good cause for not participating.