105.2 TANF Categorical Requirements

The Federal government sets TANF requirements. These individuals may qualify for TANF:

Dependent children.

55 Pa. Code § 141.41(a)

Specified relatives of the child or children.

55 Pa. Code § 151.41

Pregnant women.

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(f)

Mandatory budget group members.

55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)

NOTE: All references to TANF in this section also apply to Extended TANF unless noted otherwise.

55 Pa. Code § 141.51(b)

105.21 TANF Dependent Children

There must be a TANF dependent child in the home for the family to receive TANF. A n individual may receive TANF if they qualify as an eligible adult or specified relative to a child who would be eligible for TANF but receives SSI.

NOTE: If a child who qualifies as a TANF dependent child receives SSI, they are not included in the budget group.

Example : Ms. B applies for assistance. Her 5 - year - old son receives SSI. She is divorced from his father. Ms. B's son is eligible for TANF but receives SSI instead. Ms. B must receive TANF code ES.

55 Pa. Code § 141.1(b)(4)

If the only dependent child in the budget group is not eligible because of a RESET sanction, the specified relative(s) may receive TANF if they are otherwise eligible.

55 Pa. Code § 165.61(e)

Exception: A pregnant woman with no children (or no children receiving TANF) and who is exempt from the minor parent requirements may receive TANF for herself only if the unborn would be deprived of parental support or care when born. She must prove the pregnancy and due date. When born, the child must be eligible based on income and resources. Use category C for pregnant women with no other dependent children.

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(f)

NOTE : Special requirements apply to an unmarried pregnant woman under age 18. See Chapter 110, Budget Groups , and Section 110.6, TANF Minor Parents .

To decide if the family qualifies in the TANF category, the CAO will first find if there is a child in the home who qualifies for TANF. The CAO will:

1. Determine if the child is under age 18, or is age 18 and a full-time student in secondary school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training.

5 5 Pa. Code § 145.43

2. Verify the child’s age. See Chapter 121, Age for a list of acceptable proof.

55 Pa. Code § 145.44(a)(1)

3. Verify school attendance if the child is age 18. See Chapter 121, Age for a list of acceptable proof.

55 Pa. Code § 145.44(b)(2)

4. Determine if the child lives with someone who meets all specified relative requirements.

55 Pa. Code § 151.41

55 Pa. Code § 151.42

55 Pa. Code § 151.43

NOTE: To qualify as a specified relative, a person must be related to the TANF child as explained in Section 127.21 . The person does not have to prove this relationship. The person’s statement that they are related to the TANF child is enough, unless the CAO has information to the contrary.

5. Determine if the child is deprived based on absence, death, incapacity , or unemployment. See Chapter 129, Deprivation .

5 5 Pa. Code § 153.43

6. Verify the deprivation requirement. See Chapter 129, Deprivation for a list of acceptable proof.

5 5 Pa. Code § 153.44

If the client meets all criteria listed above and the budget group meets all financial requirements, authorize TANF for the budget group. Use these codes:

Category code C when there is deprivation due to death, absence , or incapacity (that precludes participation in work or work-related activities);

Category code U for deprivation due to unemployment .

Eligibility Status code EC for a TANF dependent child .

Examples:

Mr. and Mrs. J, who are married, receive TANF for themselves and their two minor children. Mr. J is not working and does not have an incapacity. Mrs. J has a Medical Assessment Form, PA 635 , verifying she cannot work because of high blood pressure. The TANF category for this family is C because her incapacity precludes employment .

Jen H. and Ray B. receive TANF for themselves and their three minor sons. Ray, who does not have an incapacity, works 20 hours a week at minimum wage. Jen, who has high blood pressure, is unemployed. She provides a Medical Assessment Form, PA 635 , verifying she can work despite her incapacity. The TANF category for this family is U because the children are deprived based on unemployment. Jen’s incapacity does not preclude employment .

NOTE : If a budget group has two or more TANF dependent children who qualify for different deprivation reasons (such as some members qualifying for TANF-C while others qualify only for TANF-U), use category U rather than C.

Mr. W and Ms. D apply for cash assistance for themselves, her minor daughter , and their common child. Paternity is established for the common child. Both Mr. W and Ms. D can work. There is no income in the household. Ms. D’s daughter is deprived based on absence, but the couple’s common child is deprived based on unemployment. If the family is otherwise eligible for TANF, use the U category.

Mr. and Mrs. H, their daughter and Mrs. H’s son from a previous marriage live in the household. They ask for cash benefits for all family members. Mr. H is unemployed. Mrs. H’s son qualifies as a TANF dependent child based on the absence of his father. Their daughter is included in the budget group because she is a half sibling and meets TANF dependent child conditions based on unemployment. The category of the entire budget group is TANF-U.