The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is intended to move low-income families from public assistance to self-sufficiency by providing cash assistance along with work readiness, training and job placement services.

The Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) Program is a companion program that focuses on work-readiness, training and job placement services. The department contracts with Job Service North Dakota to provide these services to JOBS participants.

Fast Facts:

• North Dakota's welfare caseload peaked in April 1993 at 6,625 cases
• In July 1997, when the state implemented welfare reform, 3,859 families were receiving TANF assistance
• In December 2010, a total of 1,988 North Dakotans received TANF public assistance.