What is the TEA program?
Watch this short video to learn how the TEA program can support you and your career goals.
What does TEA stand for?
TEA stands for Transitional Employment Assistance. TEA is a program that supports people with children (under the age of 18 living in the home) by providing financial assistance and services while they work towards their education, training, and employment goals.
Who is eligible to apply for TEA benefits?
An applicant must meet all of these requirements:
- Have a child under the age of 18 living with you or be pregnant;
- Have limited or no monthly income;
- Be an Arkansas resident; and
- Be a United States citizen or lawful alien
What kind of benefits does TEA provide?
The TEA program can provide a small cash grant each month to help with expenses, and assistance with:
- Finding a job
- Upgrading your skills through training
- Connecting to the right employers
- Covering childcare or transportation costs while you look for a job
- Completing high school or earning your GED (teen parents)
- Entering on-the-job training or subsidized employment so you get paid while you train
Your TEA care manager will provide career counseling, mentorship, and guidance as you work toward employment and other goals.
How do I apply?
Visit or contact an Arkansas Workforce Center near you! When you check in or call, mention you would like to apply for the TEA program. We will connect you to the appropriate staff member. Click the link below for a list of Workforce Center locations, or use this Google map.
Click here for a list of Arkansas Workforce Center locations.
We recommend applying in person so we can be there to answer any questions you may have about the application. However, you may also apply online or fill out a paper application.
Apply for TEA online using Access Arkansas
Paper application for TEA (English)
Solicitud para el programa TEA en papel (Español)
The Arkansas Transitional Employment Assistance (TEA) program is 100 percent funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant, administered at the federal level by the Department of Health and Human Services and at the state level by the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services.
