110.4 Mandatory TANF Budget Group Members

Certain individuals who live with the TANF child must be included in the budget group . Mandatory members of a TANF budget group include the following:

The biological or adoptive parents of the TANF child or a minor parent who does not meet any of the exemptions under Section 110.6

5 5 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(B)

Siblings of the TANF child who meet the conditions in Section 110.42 .

5 5 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(C)

An individual is still a mandatory budget group member even if they are TANF ineligible for any reason including, but not limited to, the following:

Not being a U.S. citizen, a resident noncitizen , or an eligible refugee

Failure to comply with:

RESET

Quality control review

Criminal History requirements

Failure to:

Sign required forms

Apply for a Social Security number

Apply for SSI , RSDI , or other federal benefits.

NOTE: The individual must be included in the TANF budget group, with an appropriate eligibility status code indicating sanctioned/disqualified or not eligible. The income and resources of this person must be considered in determining the eligibility for the rest of the eligible members of the budget group.

When the individual regains eligibility, their eligibility status code must be changed from ineligible to eligible status in the budget group, and a one-time issuance (OTI) completed to ensure the individual receives the correct benefit amount from the date of compliance to the date their ES status became effective (unless the mandatory member is a child. See Section 110.213 ) .

Example: Ms. Jones (NS) provides verification of compliance with fines and costs on 10/01/xx. Her ES status change is effective payment date 10/10/xx. An OTI is issued for the period of 10/01/xx thru 10/09/xx.

Exceptions: A person must not be included if:

They are getting SSI, including special SSI recipient status (the person is working and is not eligible for SSI cash benefits but gets Medical Assistance).

They are getting Title IV-E or state or local foster care or adoption assistance, unless the child’s inclusion in the budget group would increase the group’s benefits. If the inclusion of the adopted child would increase the benefits, then the child must be included in the budget group and their income from the federal, state, or local subsidies must count in the eligibility determination and benefit computation. See Chapter 127 and Chapter 150 .

They are a child in the subsidized permanent legal custodianship (SPLC) program, unless including them would benefit the budget group. Any subsidy received by the legal custodian is considered income to the child so that the family is able to provide appropriate care and support to meet the child’s needs. The income is not counted unless the child is included in the budget group.

Failure to add a mandatory person to a budget group may result in an overpayment or in the ineligibility of the entire budget group. See Chapter 168 .