Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance Program Benefits
The Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program helps economically needy families with children under the age of 18 become more responsible for supporting their families. The TEA program is Arkansas's welfare reform program under the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant.
Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance Program
The TEA Program is a time-limited assistance program to help needy families with children become more responsible for their own support and less dependent on public assistance. In addition to monthly cash assistance, employment-related services are provided to parents, including job-readiness activities, transportation assistance, childcare assistance, and other supportive services so that the parent can engage in work or education and training activities.
The Division of County Operations is responsible for administering the program and determining the eligibility for cash assistance payments for the Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) and Work Pays Programs.
TEA Program Penalties
In the TEA Program, an IPV (Intentional Program Violation) is an intentional action by an individual to establish or maintain an assistance unit’s (AU’s) eligibility, or to increase or prevent a decrease in the AU’s benefits, by providing false or misleading information or withholding information. Any household member who hides information and does not report changes on time or does not tell the truth will lose TANF benefits for six months for the first violation, twelve months for the second violation and permanently for the third violation.
The misuse of the cash assistance funds or TEA DEBIT card to withdraw cash or perform transactions at casinos, liquor stores, adult-oriented entertainment facilities “strip clubs”, poker rooms, bail bonds, night clubs/salons/taverns, bingo halls, race tracks, gaming establishments, gun/ammunition stores, cruise ships, psychic readers, smoking shops, tattoo/piercing shops, and spa/massage salons is strictly prohibited and will result in a loss of TEA benefits for six months for the first violation, twelve months for the second violation and permanently for the third violation.
If a court of law finds you or any household member hiding information, or you do not report changes on time or do not tell the truth and are convicted, you may not get TEA for 12 months for the first violation and permanently for the second violation. If a court of law finds you or any household member guilty of giving false information about where you live so you can receive benefits in more than one state, you will be barred for 10 years.
Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA)/Work Pays
Assistance is available to TANF applicants and potential TANF applicants who are victims of sexual harassment and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Please click below for more information.
Who is eligible for Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance?
To be eligible for Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance, you must be a resident of Arkansas, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien. You must be unemployed or underemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be one of the following:
- Have a child 18 years of age or younger, or
- Be pregnant, or
- Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.
How do I apply for Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance?
To apply, please visit: Arkansas Department of Human Services
You may also call to request an application: 1-800-482-8988
- Or write to request an application:
- Arkansas Department of Human Services
- Arkansas Donaghey Plaza West
- Slot S201
- P.O.Box 1437
- Little Rock, AR 72203-1437
How can I contact someone?
For additional information, visit: Arkansas Department of Human Services: 501-682-8650 / 1-800-482-8988.