135.32 Newborn Exemption (ETP Status Code 52)

A single custodial parent, in a one-parent household, caring for a child under the age of 12 months may be exempt. This exemption is limited to a maximum of 12 months in the parent’s lifetime. The months do not need to be consecutive and the child is not required to be on TANF.

55 Pa. Code § 165.21(c)(4)

The 12- month count begins the date the individual tells the caseworker that they want to take the exemption and ends when:

The parent has used their 12-month lifetime limit;

No later than the last day on the month prior to the child's first birthday; or

The parent chooses to stop taking the exemption.

Any newborn exemption time used during a month counts as a whole month used.

EXAMPLE: A single TANF parent informs the CAO that their child was born on January 15th and they wish to take the newborn exemption. The ETP status code 52 is entered into eCIS. January counts as one month toward the 12-month lifetime limit. The 12-month time-limit for the newborn exemption ends on December 31st because the child turns one in the month of January.

An individual with a child under one may choose not to take some or all of this exemption due to the lifetime 12-month time limit.

If the individual has not used the full 12-month exemption, the remaining months of the lifetime limit may be used for subsequent births or adoptions.

EXAMPLE: A single TANF parent informs the CAO that their child was born on January 15 th and they wish to take the newborn exemption. On April 25 th they inform the CAO that they want to stop taking the newborn exemption and look for employment. January counts as one month and April also counts as one month used toward the 12-month life-time limit. The single TANF parent has eight months of the newborn exemption available to use for subsequent births or adoptions.

Once this 12-month limit has been fully used, even if it was used in another state, an individual may not receive it again. The CAO must review the individual’s history including:

The current case record;

Previous case records;

The eCIS narrative;

The individual's history in eCIS;

The individual's ETP history in eCIS to look for good cause given to the parent in a two-parent household who is caring for a child under 12 months of age; and

If applicable, contact the other state for information about any newborn exemption time already used.

Individuals who chose to take the exemption may volunteer to pursue education, job skills training, or work activities.

NOTE: The newborn exemption is only for a single, custodial parent. If consideration is requested for a newborn in a two-parent household good cause should be reviewed. See Section 135.4, Good Cause .