110.41 Biological or Adoptive Parents of the TANF Child

The CAO must include the biological or adoptive parents living with the TANF child in that child's budget group or a minor parent who does not meet any of the exemptions under Section 110.6 .

55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(B)

A stepparent is not a mandatory budget group member. The CAO must not include a stepparent in the TANF budget unless requested or they are designated as the specified relative .

A parent must be included in the budget group as one of the following:

A specified relative (eligibility code ES or NS). If both parents are in the budget group, they are both coded ES or NS.

A parent, 18 years of age or older, who is required to be included in the budget group because their own child is eligible for TANF but who is not the specified relative (code EA).

A minor parent who is age 17 or younger and is exempt from the requirement to live in the home of a parent, legal guardian , other adult relative, or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement and is the specified relative (code ES).

A minor parent who is age 17 or younger and (a) is required to live in the home of a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, or (b) must be included in the budget group because their own child is eligible for TANF or (c) is pregnant and eligible for TANF, and who is not designated the specified relative (code EP). If that minor parent is required to be included in the budget group of their TANF siblings who live in the common residence , then they are coded EC.

NOTE: The CAO must review and update any eligibility status codes when a person is added to or removed from the budget group.

Example: Mrs. Evans and three daughters, age 14, 15, and 19, reside together . Mrs. Evans (ES) and children 14 and 15 (both EC) are eligible for TANF benefits because of the absence of the children’s father. Mrs. Evans is the payment name . The 19-year-old child does not qualify for assistance at this time. Mrs. Evans passes away and the 19-year-old- child assumes care and control of their siblings. The 19-year-old child qualifies as the specified relative to the children and is added to the TANF budget group as the specified relative (ES) and payment name.