Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Maine TANF is financial assistance to keep children in their homes while the family is temporarily unable to support themselves. While receiving assistance, parents or caretaker relatives work on an employment plan to become self-supporting.  Requirements In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of Maine, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 19 years of age, a U.S. national, citizen, legal alien, or permanent resident, have low or very low income and be either under-employed (working for very low wages), unemployed or about to become unemployed or a child(ren) that is deprived of the care and support of a parent because of death, disability, continued absense or un/under-employment.