121.1 General Policy – TANF

Eligibility for TANF is limited to families with dependent children who meet certain age requirements.

55 Pa. Code § 145.41

Exception: A pregnant woman who is exempt from the minor parent requirements and has no children, or no children getting TANF, may apply for TANF for herself as a specified relative if:

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(f)

The pregnancy and due date are verified; and

When born, the child would be eligible for TANF based on deprivation .

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

A minor parent of any age may apply for TANF as the payment name if they are not required to be a member of another TANF budget group or if they are exempt from the minor parent requirements. See Chapter 127 , Specified Relative and Chapter 110 , Budget Groups .

To be eligible for TANF, a deprived child must be:

55 Pa. Code § 145.43

Under age 18; or

Age 18 if the child is a full-time student in secondary school or the equivalent level of a vocational or technical school.

Student means a person enrolled in and physically attending a program of study or training leading to graduation or an equivalent certificate.

55 Pa. Code § 145.42

School means a program of supervised education or vocational training approved by the authorities of the school district or by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

55 Pa. Code § 145.43(b)(1)

Vocational training is one of the following:

A vocational training course under a federal or state program such as Workforce Investment Act (WIA) or the Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency through Employment and Training (RESET);

An organized training program sponsored by business or industrial firms with specific training objectives such as apprenticeships or training arrangements;

A program through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR); or

A program under Section 2508.3 of the School Code.

Example: A cooperative education program where a student attends school part of the day and works in a training program part of the day

An eligible student may continue to receive benefits during official vacations if he or she is expected to return to school full-time when the vacation is over.

55 Pa. Code § 145.43(b)(3)(i)

Eligibility continues for the entire month in which the child becomes 18 or completes or discontinues full-time schooling. The student’s completion or discontinuance date is the date when school records show that the child ended full-time status. See Chapter 114 , Students .

Updated August 30, 2023, Replacing July 30, 2013