127.21 Relationship to the TANF Child

To qualify as a specified relative, a person must be related to the TANF child or eligible SSI or Title IV-E foster care child. Unless the CAO has different information, self-attestation of blood relation is acceptable except by a putative father. A putative father does not have legal status of being a father and is not considered a legally responsible relative (LRR). The following are valid relationships:

55 Pa. Code § 151.42(iii)

Blood relatives, including half-blood

55 Pa. Code § 151.42(iii)(A)

Examples:

Parents, grandparents, and other direct ancestors all the way back to a great-great-great grandparent

Other relationships that begin with the prefix “great,” “great-great,” “grand,” or “great-grand”

Aunt or uncle

Nephew or niece

Brother or sister

First cousin

First cousin once removed (the child of one’s first cousin, or the first cousin of one’s parent)

NOTE : The CAO must not consider second, third or other cousins as specified relatives. See Appendix A for a chart showing different ways people are related to one another.

An adoptive parent and their blood or adoptive relatives as listed above

55 Pa. Code § 151.42(iii)(B)

NOTE : Adoption ends the legal relationship between parent and child. However, it does not end the biological (blood) relationship. A biological parent may be a specified relative of an adopted child if the child returns to the biological parent’s care and control. The biological parent must pursue child support against the absent adoptive parent(s).

A stepparent , stepbrother, stepsister, or stepgrandparent

55 Pa. Code § 151.42(iii)(C)

NOTE : To qualify as a specified relative, a stepgrandparent must be the spouse of a grandparent. A parent of a stepparent does not qualify as a specified relative.

Examples:

Jane applies for Cash Assistance for Tommy, who is Jane's husband’s grandson. Jane's husband, Martin, is the father of Mary, who is Tommy’s mother. Jane may be designated a specified relative, as Jane is the spouse of Tommy’s grandparent.

Anna applies for Cash Assistance for Peter. Peter’s stepfather is Anna’s son. Anna does not qualify as a specified relative.

The spouse of any relative named above, even after the marriage ends by death, separation, or divorce.

55 Pa. Code § 151.42(iii)(D)

Example: Twelve-year-old Tommy Bennett continues to live with Tommy's stepmother, Mrs. Bennett, after the death of Tommy's father. Since Mrs. Bennett is exercising care and control of Tommy and providing a home for Tommy , Mrs. Bennett is considered to be a specified relative. Because Tommy’s natural parents are no longer in the home, Mrs. Bennett’s income is not deemed for stepchild, Tommy . See Chapter 155, Deeming Income and Resources .

A relati v e of a putative father .

NOTE : The CAO determination is made only to identify a specified relative. It does not establish paternity .

NOTE : The putative father is the alleged father of a child. Until paternity is legally established, they are not considered a parent or a legally responsible relative (LRR) . Their verbal statement alone does not establish paternity. See Chapter 129, Deprivation .

A legal guardian living with the child, only if they are related to the child as described above.

A pregnant woman with no children, or no children receiving TANF, and exempt from the minor parent requirements may receive TANF benefits for herself only if the child would qualify for TANF if it were born. See Section 127.5 and Chapter 110.211, Budget Groups, Pregnant Women .

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(f)