Arizona Child-Only TANF for Grandparents: Income Rules and Grant Amounts

What "Child-Only" Actually Means in Arizona

When a grandparent or relative applies for TANF cash assistance on behalf of a grandchild, DES treats the adult as a "non-needy caretaker relative." The caretaker is not part of the assistance unit. The cash grant goes to the child, and the caretaker's personal income — Social Security, a pension, wages — is excluded from the benefit calculation entirely.

This is the single most misunderstood rule in Arizona kinship benefits. Grandparents on a fixed income assume their retirement checks disqualify the child. They don't. The child-only grant tests the child's income, not the grandparent's.

The 130% FPL Needy Family Test

Before DES sets up a child-only grant, the entire household must pass the "Needy Family Income Standard." This is an eligibility screening test, separate from the calculation of the child's monthly cash grant.

Under standards effective October 1, 2026:

Household size includes everyone living in the home — the grandparent, a spouse, and all children. If total gross household income falls under the limit for your household size, the family qualifies. After that threshold is cleared, only the child's own income (survivor benefits, child support, trust income) reduces the grant. The grandparent's Social Security or pension does not reduce it.

One exception: if DCS placed the child in your home (a formal kinship placement through child welfare), the 130% FPL test is waived entirely.

How Much the Child-Only Grant Pays

Once the household passes the needy-family screening, the actual grant is based on how many eligible children are in the assistance unit and whether the household pays rent or mortgage.

If the child receives Social Security survivor benefits, those reduce the grant dollar for dollar. SSI is excluded — but an SSI recipient is removed from the assistance unit.

The 20-Day Processing Rule

Standard TANF applications take up to 45 days to process. Child-only applications filed by a non-needy relative get a faster lane: DES policy requires a decision within 20 calendar days.

No in-person interview is required. DES processes these applications by telephone or through the Health-e-Arizona PLUS portal. File at healthearizonaplus.gov using form FAA-0001A.

Time Limits and Work Requirements Don't Apply

Two more rules that catch grandparents off guard:

Child-only TANF cases are exempt from Arizona's 12-month state time limit and the federal 60-month TANF limit. The grant continues as long as the child qualifies.

Non-needy caretaker relatives are also exempt from mandatory DES Jobs Program participation. Nobody is going to require a retired grandparent to attend workforce training as a condition of the grandchild's cash grant.

Child Support Assignment and Good Cause

Filing for child-only TANF triggers automatic assignment of the child's support rights to the state. DES will pursue child support enforcement against the non-custodial parent.

If enforcement would put the child or caregiver at risk — domestic violence, the child was conceived through assault — you can request a "Good Cause" exemption on the FAA-0001A application. Submit evidence (protective orders, police reports) within 20 days, and DCSS pauses enforcement while the request is reviewed.

What to Do Next

Start at healthearizonaplus.gov with form FAA-0001A. Bring proof of the child's identity, the caregiving relationship, and any child income. The complete Arizona kinship financial help guide walks through every document you need, calculates how child-only TANF interacts with SNAP and child care assistance, and includes a tracking worksheet so you never miss a renewal deadline.

See more Arizona guides →