123.72 Permanent Move to Another County in Pennsylvania—Intercounty Transfer

A recipient’s move to another Pennsylvania county is considered permanent if they :

Are not expected to return within three months or

Remains more than three months in the county of temporary residence.

55 Pa. Code § 147.22

If a recipient moves permanently to another county in Pennsylvania and continues to meet all eligibility requirements, benefits must continue from the old county at the new address for two semimonthly payments.

55 Pa. Code § 147.23(d)(2)

The CAO in the original county must do the following:

Make the address change and, if necessary, adjust the monthly assistance payment to show change in income or household composition.

Base the payment on the family size allowance (FSA) in the county of origin.

Discontinue benefits effective the day before the third semimonthly benefit after the move is reported. Use reason code 099 on the Household Summary Screen in the Case Action panel .

Review the record for action needed for Medical Assistance or SNAP.

Update the record so that the last narrative entry gives the reason for the transfer.

Provide a Confirming Notice that includes the following:

Confirmation of the change of address

Date assistance will be discontinued;

The address and phone number of the new CAO;

A statement advising the client to contact the CAO in the new county of residence within three work days to establish eligibility in that county.

NOTE : Any appeal must be heard in the new county of residence.

Process any required changes before the effective date of closure. This includes the replacement of benefits authorized by the CAO of origin but not received. See Chapter 180 .

The new CAO must do the following:

If the recipient contacts the new CAO before the effective date of closure, schedule a renewal interview immediately. The recipient is not required to complete a new application. The appointment should be at least 15 days before the closure date to allow for an Advance Notice , if one is needed.

Complete a determination of eligibility and give appropriate notice of any changes in eligibility or payment amount.

NOTE : The client must receive an Advance Notice for any adverse actions, even if this requires opening the budget to meet the required ten-day time frame.

If the recipient household is found eligible, authorize an opening effective the day after the closure date.

If the recipient household has not contacted the CAO, send an Advance Notice advising that assistance will not be continued in the new county.

If the individual contacts the new CAO after the effective date of closing, provide a PA 600 , and process it as a new application.

NOTE: A new application is not necessarily required if the individual contacts the CAO within 60 days of the closure. See Chapter 179.2 Reconsidering Closed Benefits . See Chapter 179.3, Reconsidering Benefits that were Closed at Renewal if a renewal was due during the reconsideration period. A new application is required if adding a new mandatory or voluntary budget group member to the household.

NOTE: If the gaining CAO discovers an issue with an ICT once it’s been transferred, the gaining CAO should resolve the issue with the ICT before forwarding the issue to the ICT liaison of the losing CAO. (Example: SNAP semi-annual report (SAR) is due and is received prior to ICT being sent. Losing CAO did not run the SAR. SAR form is in imaging (Gaining CAO should run SAR.).

55 Pa. Code § 147.24(a)(4)(ii)