127.22 Custody of the TANF Child

When the TANF child lives with the specified relative, the child's TANF eligibility is not affected if:

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(a)

The child is under court jurisdiction and is receiving services such as probation or protective supervision.

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(a)(1)

The child is in the legal custody of someone other than the specified relative, such as another person or a public or voluntary agency.

55 Pa. Code § 151.43(a)(2)

In a joint or shared custody situation, the parent who applies on behalf of the child is designated as the specified relative. The other parent is the absent parent . If both parents apply for a cash benefit, only one parent is designated as the specified relative and payment name for the child's TANF budget.

55 Pa. Code § 153.45(a)

NOTE : The TANF benefit is to meet the child's need during the entire period, not just when in the physical custody of the parent designated as the specified relative. It is not the CAO’s responsibility to mediate disagreements between parents about use of benefits.

Special arrangements for physical custody of the TANF child on holidays, birthdays, vacations, and special occasions are considered as regular visits to the absent parent.

Example: Mr. and Mrs. Greene, who are divorced, are under a joint-custody court order for the custody of their two children. The children live with each parent every other week. Mrs. Greene applies for cash benefits for herself and the two children because her unemployment compensation benefits ended and she has no other income. Mrs. Greene is designated as the specified relative and payment name for the TANF budget.