TANF Emergency Funds Can Be Used to Pay for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

States can use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding to pay for short-term addiction and mental health treatment for families, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

According to SAMHSA, the TANF block grant provides wide flexibility to develop time-limited assistance programs, employment services for parents, and a broad array of specialized services — including mental health and substance abuse services — for struggling families in their communities. 

“The Administration for Children and Families and SAMHSA are working together to help ensure that TANF funds are available to states to support substance abuse and mental health services,” said SAMHSA administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D.  “These funds can be used to provide relief to families coping with these disorders and trying to achieve self-sufficiency.”