Welfare, also known as public assistance, is a government program that provides financial aid to low-income individuals and families. Welfare programs can vary from state to state, but they typically offer assistance with basic needs such as food, housing, and medical care.
In Illinois, the welfare program is called the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. TANF provides cash assistance to low-income families with children. To be eligible for TANF, families must meet certain income and asset requirements.