Temporary Assistance The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, also known as Temporary Assistance (TA), is a program designed to provide cash benefits to low-income families for the household’s children such as clothing, utilities and other services. Upon approval of TA, the recipient must participate in employment and training services through the  Missouri Work Assistance  (MWA) program. The MWA program helps TA recipients transition from TA to a job by helping set goals and get the skills needed to find a job and support the recipient’s family. Eligibility Requirements The applicant must be a Missouri resident and the parent or legal caretaker of a child who is either under age 18, or the child is attending high school (or equivalent) and is expected to graduate before age 19. To be considered low-income, the members of the applicant’s household cannot own resources valued at more than $1,000 at application, excluding their home and one household member’s car. After the applicant is approved for Temporary Assistance (TA) and he/she signs an Individual Employment Plan, the household's resources cannot be valued at more than $5,000. The applicant must either have or agree to apply for Social Security numbers for all household members or that household member will not receive TA benefits for themselves. A household member convicted after August 22, 1996 in a Federal or State court of a felony or any crime related to illegal possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance will not receive TA benefits for themselves. A household member who is a fleeing felon and is in violation of a condition of probation or parole imposed under a Federal or State Law will not receive not receive TA benefits for themselves. If the applicant is approved for TA, the rights for child support must be assigned to the Family Support Division (FSD). The applicant must cooperate in attempting to collect Child Support, or the TA benefit will be reduced by 25%. The Child Support requirement may be waived if the applicant can prove this would be physically or emotionally harmful to themselves or the household member children. The money must be used for the benefit for the children in the household. The applicant must attempt to support or help support the children by accepting employment that does not cause a net loss of income. Calculating Amount of Benefits The amount of benefits your family may be eligible for is determined by a few factors including the size of your household and the expenses associated with caring for the children. Office Hours: M-F 8am to 5pm