Pandemic Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (P-TANF)

On March 11, 2021, the President signed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It established the Pandemic Emergency Assistance Fund (PEAF) in section 403(c) of the Social Security Act. The PEAF provided funding to states to assist needy families impacted by COVID-19. Pandemic TANF (P-TANF) funds were derived from PEAF.

In Georgia, P-TANF Relatives Raising Relatives (RRR) will provide a one-time payment to individuals in a relative raising relative assistance unit who were eligible for and approved for TANF cash assistance on or before August 31, 2023.

Those who are eligible for P-TANF have already been determined and no new eligibility will be established. Families who are eligible will receive a notice indicating such in late February 2024. No further action is required. Eligibility requirements have previously been met.

Recipients will access their P-TANF benefits via the Way2Go Debit Mastercard on which TANF benefits were originally issued. If that card has been misplaced, recipients should call 1-800-656-1347 to order a new card or visit goprogram.com to request a new one.

A temporary phone line will open on Feb. 22, 2024, for constituents with questions about P-TANF. The number is 866-GA-PTANF (866-782-6342). Lines will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

P-TANF benefits will be distributed in addition to any regular monthly TANF issuance. The P-TANF amount is based on the number of eligible individuals in the family. Each eligible individual will be issued $450.61.

All P-TANF RRR distributions will begin on March 19, 2024, and last through the end of the week. 

Please note: Five free calls are authorized each month to the Customer Service Interactive Voice Response (IVR) for the Way2Go Debit MasterCard. A fee of $.50 will be charged to your card for each additional call after the five call limit has been reached.

P-TANF FAQs

  1. What is P-TANF RRR? P-TANF RRR provides a one-time payment for families who were eligible for and correctly received TANF cash assistance. This payment is to assist families with any financial needs arising from the pandemic.

  2. Who is eligible for P-TANF RRR? P-TANF RRR will provide a one-time payment for individuals in a relative raising relative assistance unit who were eligible for and approved for TANF cash assistance on or before Aug. 31, 2023.

  3. What are the income limits to apply for P-TANF RRR? Families are not able to apply for P-TANF RRR. Eligibility for P-TANF RRR has already been determined, and no new eligibility will be established.
  4. Will receiving P-TANF RRR impact my status for any future applications? No, it will not impact your status.
  5. Does P-TANF RRR count in the TANF time clock? No, it does not count in the TANF time clock.
  6. How will I receive my P-TANF RRR benefits? P-TANF RRR funds will be issued via the Way2Go Debit Mastercard on which TANF benefits were originally issued.
  7. What if I lose my Way2Go card? If you need a new Way2Go Debit Mastercard, call 1-800-656-1347 or visit goprogram.com to request a new card. The Way2Go Debit Mastercard will be mailed to the address listed on your TANF case. If you need to make a change to your address, please call our Customer Contact Center at 1-877-423-4746.
  8. How much will I get in P-TANF RRR benefits? The P-TANF RRR amount will be based on the number of eligible individuals in the family. Each eligible individual in the family will be issued $450.61.
  9. How long will I have to use P-TANF RRR benefits? Your P-TANF RRR benefits will be available for use indefinitely.
  10. Are there any P-TANF RRR work requirements? No, there are not any work requirements for P-TANF RRR.
  11. Are there any mandatory TANF forms to be completed by P-TANF RRR customers? No, you do not have to complete any forms to receive P-TANF RRR.
  12. Will customers be able to call and ask questions? Yes, a temporary phone line will open on Feb. 22, 2024, for customers with questions about P-TANF. The number is 866-782-6342 (866-GA-PTANF), and calls will be taken Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  13. How can a customer verify their P-TANF RRR eligibility? A notice will be mailed to all eligible families.
  14. Does an interview take place? No, an interview will not take place for P-TANF RRR.
  15. When will P-TANF RRR cash assistance be distributed? All P-TANF RRR distributions will begin on March 19, 2024, and last through the end of the week. 
  16. Are recipients required to refer the non-custodial parent to Child Support Enforcement? No, recipients of the TANF RRR cash assistance will not be required to refer the non-custodial parent to Child Support Enforcement.
  17. Does receipt of a TANF support service payment issued in August 2023 count as a month of TANF eligibility and cash assistance? No, TANF support service payments issued for August 2023 do not count as a month of TANF eligibility or TANF cash assistance. 
  18. How will the P-TANF RRR lump sum payment be considered when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Medical Assistance (MA)? 
  • SNAP - P-TANF RRR benefits should not be counted as income in the SNAP budget. P-TANF RRR should be counted as a resource in the month received and in any subsequent months.
  • Medical Assistance (MA) - P-TANF RRR benefits should be excluded income for MAGI and non-MAGI Family Medicaid. P-TANF RRR should be included in Aged, Blind, and Disabled Medicaid (ABD), but it will not be included for an ABD recipient if it is for the recipient’s parent or spouse. P-TANF RRR benefits should not be counted as a resource.