Due to the Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program payment date being unknown, many Florida families are feeling the strain. Families need to check when they will receive their $298 payments per child. Although the TCA is designed to help households with minor children to meet their basic needs, the program issues monthly payments that are based according to child’s age and the degree at which the child meets specific eligibility criteria. In some cases, families may receive up to $298 per child.
As May 2025 progresses, many families are questioning when their TCA payments will arrive. The answer is that payments will arrive based on the citizen’s respective case number and the child’s eligibility under Florida’s guidelines.
Understanding TCA and who qualifies for the $298 payment
The Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) in Florida is a program that provides cash support to families with children under 18, or under 19, if they’re still enrolled in high school full time. The program’s main idea is to provide temporary help as families in Florida are working towards financial independence. TCA is, as such, available to parents as well as relative caregivers including grandparents, aunts, or uncles who are raising children placed in their care by the court.
All children that are part of the Relative Caregiver Program receive higher monthly payments than standard TCA beneficiaries. These payments depend on the child’s income and age. Accordingly:
- Children aged 0 to 5 receive $242 per month
- Children aged 6 to 12 receive $249 per month
- Children aged 13 to 17 receive $298 per month
In order to be eligible to receive this $298 monthly benefit, the child must meet the criteria of:
- Being between 13 and 17 years of age
- Living with a relative caregiver who has been approved through Florida’s child welfare system
- Being a U.S. citizen or a qualified non-citizen
- Having countable assets below $2,000
- Being enrolled in school and up to date with all vaccinations if under 5
With this benefit, caregivers are helped in supporting their children and teens during their crucial developmental period, especially due to the increasing need of more school supplies, clothing, and food.
When can eligible recipients expect TCA payments this May?
All TCA benefits get distributed through Florida’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) system and gets paid according to a staggered payment schedule determined by last two digits of an eligible beneficiary’s case number. This schedule will see deposits being made from the 1st through to the 28th of each month.
To determine when May payments will be received, citizens must look at the respective case number that they have been given:
- 00–03: May 1
- 04–06: May 2
- 07–10: May 3
- 11–13: May 4
- 14–17: May 5
- 18–20: May 6
- 21–24: May 7
- 25–27: May 8
- 28–31: May 9
- 32–34: May 10
- 96-99: May 28
The Florida Department of Children and Families can assist citizens who are unsure of their case numbers. While TCA is very beneficial to eligible teens and families in Florida, the $600 Child Tax Credit is a valuable payment source for working families in Maine.
How to maintain eligibility and prevent delays?
Citizens can ensure uninterrupted TCA payments, including the $298 per child for eligible teens by meeting Florida’s program requirements. All eligible children must:
- Attend school (children between ages 6-18)
- Stay up to date with immunizations (especially children under 5)
- Comply with child support enforcement
- Meet assets and income limits
If an adult is receiving TCA, these benefits are limited to 48 months over a lifetime, except in terms of child-only or Relative Caregiver cases, which are exempt from this time cap.
Any changes in income, household composition, or school attendance needs to be reported immediately via the ACCESS Florida in order to avoid benefit suspension.
Florida citizens must understand the difference between these TCA payments and that of Child Tax Credit. Child Tax Credit payments will be increasing by 50% for eligible citizens in the state of Georgia.
