135.6 7 Types of Special Allowances for Supportive Services

Annual and lifetime limits apply to SPAL issuance. The CAO will use a program year to track annual limits. A program year runs from July 1 through June 30.

See the SPAL Desk Guide for SPALs that may be issued by the CAO.

55 Pa. Code § 165.46

NOTE : When an individual is receiving both SNAP and TANF benefits, a SPAL MUST be issued under the TANF program; the individual is not eligible to receive a SPAL under the SNAP program.

The following SPALs may not be authorized for individuals who receive both TANF and SNAP benefits.

Air and Long Distance Rail

Lodging and Food

Incapacitated Care

SPALs are grouped into four categories which include sub-categories (Transportation, Clothing, Vehicle Purchase and Work/Education/Training) and SPAL reason codes. When authorizing a SPAL for E & T activities, the reason code to enter on eCIS is selected from either the 200 or 800 series. Reason codes numbered in the 200s are used for SNAP or non-working TANF recipients. Reason codes numbered in the 800s are used for working TANF recipients. An 800 series reason code should not be used for SNAP-only recipients.

TRANSPORTATION:

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(a)(1) & (2)

Annual and lifetime limits apply to SPAL issuance. The amount of the maximum allowance for all transportation SPALs is the actual cost of up to $1,500 annually. The CAO will use a program year to track annual limits. A program year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Bus, includes Subway, Commuter Rail, Paratransit , or Ridesharing (such as Uber/Lyft) (Reason Code 268/868) and Taxi (Reason Code 272/872)

As required for approved activities or for employment and training. May be authorized for the period up to the date the TANF benefit closes .

Includes, but is not limited to, completing a written application, test taking, interviewing, etc.

Not provided if the activity is secondary education or equivalent level of vocational or technical training unless the individual is pregnant or a custodial parent.

Includes private automobile, car or van pool, public transit, taxi and paratransit.

Limited to actual mileage not to exceed $.20 per mile for personal auto, including volunteer driver. If transportation is provided by a car pool or van pool, the individual receives a proportionate share of the cost up to the maximum amount.

Non-recurring only.

Pre-expenditure approval is not required, but verification must be provided within 14 days of the date the service was received and the cost incurred.

Individuals will provide an estimate for ridesharing by using their rideshare application and using the date and time they are expecting to utilize the services.

Mileage, includes parking and tolls if required (Reason Code 250/850)

As required for job interviews or approved activities, or for employment and training. May be authorized for the period up to the date the TANF benefit closes .

The mileage rate for participation in E & T activities is $.20/mile.

An estimate or a receipt is not required.

The CAO may use a website that provides the mileage to a given location and the return trip.

Narrate the calculation used to determine the amount of the SPAL.

Volunteer Driver: The E&T participant can request a SPAL of $.20/mile to pay a volunteer driver to offset the driver’s fuel cost and wear on the car when being transported to program activities. The SPAL must be issued to the participant via EBT. The participant is then responsible to pay the volunteer driver.

Car/Van Pool (Reason Code 267/867)

As required for job interviews or approved activities, or for employment and training. May be authorized for the period up to the date the TANF benefit closes .

Motor Vehicle Repair (Reason Code 262/862)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(a)(3)

As required for work or approved activities , or for employment and training. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes .

Required repairs include those needed to pass state safety or emissions inspection or to return the vehicle to safe or legal operating condition. An automobile mechanic authorized to perform Pennsylvania state inspection will indicate by written estimate if the repair is necessary to pass state inspection. Requirements to pass the Pennsylvania state automobile safety inspection are on the internet at: https://www.pa.gov/services/dmv/submit-proof-of-vehicle-insurance Documentation of verification received from the mechanic shall be maintained with the case record.

Routine and general maintenance items and service, including battery, tires, fluid inspection and replacement, filters and lube that are not repairs needed to pass inspection or return the vehicle to safe or legal operating condition are not allowable motor vehicle repairs.

Any towing costs should be included in the invoice for repair

Vehicle must be required to enable the individual to:

Accept a bona fide employment offer that resulted from participation in an approved ETP planned activity,

Participate in an ETP planned activity or

Transport a child to day care while participating in an ETP planned activity for in-person and remote participation.

Non-recurring only.

May not be combined with motor vehicle purchase or down payment allowance at time of authorization for repair.

Payment for motor vehicle repair must be issued via the restricted endorsement check process.

Pre-expenditure approval by at management level is required.

NOTE : The Kelley Blue Book value of a car has no impact as to whether a repair can be approved. The CAO should review the most practical option with the client such a vehicle purchase SPAL instead of a repair if the repairs are excessive.

Volunteer Driver : The CAO may approve a SPAL for a car repair for a volunteer driver who is part of the TANF household.

The CAO may not approve a SPAL for a car repair for a volunteer driver who is not part of the household. The volunteer driver who is not part of the household assumes the maintenance of the car and, as the owner, is responsible for the cost of repairs, inspections, insurance and operator’s fees so a SPAL should not be issued.

Motor Vehicle Expenses (Reason Code 260/860)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(a)(4)

As required for work or approved activities , or for employment and training. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes .

Includes:

Driver’s license

State inspection fee

Emission control

Inspection fee

License plates

Vehicle registration

The CAO may issue a motor vehicle operator fee for a valid PA driver’s license when an individual has a license from another state.

The item or fee is required for legal operation of the motor vehicle.

Operation of the vehicle must be required to participate in employment or approved work-related activities, including transporting a child to day care while participating in an ETP planned activity.

A Restoration Fee is not an allowable SPAL as this is part of costs and fines.

Moving/Relocation (Reason Code 244/844)

Issued to accept a verified offer of gainful, permanent employment.

The amount is limited to the actual cost of the item/service up to $200 maximum annually. The actual amount issued for this expense counts against the $1,500 annual limit for transportation SPALs.

The 12-month period begins at the authorization date

Includes licensed moving company, rental, labor and other necessary costs

Individual must provide written verification of a bona fide offer of employment and that the move is necessary to accept the employment.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required

CLOTHING:

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(b)(1)

Annual and lifetime limits apply to SPAL issuance. The amount of the maximum allowance for clothing SPALs is the actual cost of up to $150 annually. The CAO will use a program year to track annual limits. A program year runs from July 1 through June 30.

Clothing for Employment/Training (Reason Code 256/856)

As required for work or approved employment and training activities. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes . For specific clothing and grooming items and services to support participation in work and work-related activities, such as job interviews, training programs, and accepting or maintaining employment This includes such items as suits, dresses, scrubs , safety clothing and shoes, and uniforms or appropriate attire required by an employer or a training provider.

NOTE: A referral to the local PA WORKWEAR (PAWW) provider is the first resource for clothing SPALs. All TANF employment and training participants are eligible for a referral to PAWW if they have a verified need for clothing to support work or a work-related activity approved on their AMR.

A referral to PAWW must still be used in lieu of a clothing SPAL from the CAO or contractor. A clothing SPAL should only be authorized in non-PA WORKWEAR areas or when PA WORKWEAR cannot provide the required item. See PA WORKWEAR (PAWW) Desk Guide .

Verification is required from the employer or training provider that the items are required.

If the individual already has the clothing items being requested, they are not eligible to receive the allowance.

A written estimate of the requested items must be provided by the individual at the time of request.

Narrate all actions and scan documentation into imagining.

NOTE: Commonly requested items with costs known to the CAO do not require a written estimate; however the narrative must explain the item or service costs have been determined by the CAO to be the least costly and most practical available. Estimates are not required if a participant is being referred to PAWW.

Non-recurring only.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required.

In counties with a PAWW Contractor , a referral to the local PAWW provider must be completed instead of issuing a clothing SPAL OTI on the participant’s EBT card. All referrals to PAWW must come from the CAO. Therefore, contracted E&T providers cannot make referrals to PAWW. All TANF employment and training participants are eligible for a referral to PAWW if they have a verified need for clothing to support work or a work-related activity approved on their AMR and have a remaining balance in their $150 annual clothing SPAL limit.

A clothing SPAL OTI should only be authorized in non-PAWW areas or when the:

PAWW contractor cannot provide the required item(s), such as when a participant needs clothing with employer or training provider logo.

PAWW contractor is unable to meet with the participant timely.

Participant needs reasonable accommodations for supportive services and the history of domestic violence, transportation and childcare issues, or medical related concerns.

NOTE: In counties with a PAWW contractor, the CAO must case note the reason a clothing SPAL OTI was issued rather than completing a referral to PAWW.

When a TANF RESET participant is determined eligible for a clothing SPAL and PAWW is both the least costly and most practical method to fulfill the participant’s need, a referral to PAWW must be made within the SPAL timeframes. When referring a TANF RESET participant to PAWW, the CAO will:

Complete all fields in the CAO section of the PAWW Client Referral Form (PA 1836) .

Provide the participant with a copy of the Client Referral Form and submit the form through secure email to the PAWW contractor.

Inform the participant of the PAWW referral and service delivery process.

Create a manual alert to be due 15 business days after sending the referral form to the PAWW contractor to complete the PAWW Reconciliation Process.

Narrate the request and action taken.

The CAO will inform the participant that the PAWW contractor will:

Contact them upon receiving the referral form to schedule the appointment.

Strive to serve the participant within 5 business days but must serve them in 10 business days or a new referral is needed.

Identify and provide the clothing and grooming items necessary to fulfill the participant’s interview, employment, and/or training needs.

Meet the participant’s actual clothing and grooming needs in the least costly and most practical way. The CAO may use the PAWW Suiting Examples to discuss items and general costs of a PAWW service.

NOTE: PAWW will provide clothing and grooming items based on the need and remaining annual clothing SPAL limit. Depending on the need, the value of the items issued may be less than the available SPAL balance.

Report the actual items provided and the value of those items to the CAO to deduct the value from the balance of their $150 annual clothing SPAL allowance

The TANF RESET participant must also be informed to bring verification of identity to the PAWW appointment and arrive on-time and alone. Transportation SPALs can be issued to support the participant’s attendance at the PAWW appointment.

The participant is not required to provide receipts from their PAWW service. The PAWW provider will provide an Appointment Summary to the CAO, via secure email, for each participant that is successfully served no later than 5 business days after the RESET participant was served containing the specific items provided to the participant and their value. If the PAWW program does not provide the CAO with an Appointment Summary or communicate a no-show by the date for which the manual alert was set, the CAO or designated CAO liaison will contact the PAWW provider to obtain the Appointment Summary or confirm that the participant was not able to be served before disposing of the alert.

The CAO will deduct the total donation value/ purchase price of items received from the participant’s $150 clothing SPAL balance by case noting the value of the items given and the participant’s remaining clothing balance. As there are no SPAL tracking screens for PAWW referrals, the CAO will utilize the imaged and case noted value of any PAWW services and clothing SPAL OTIs issued when making the initial PAWW referral and any subsequent PAWW referral within the same fiscal year.

If a participant received a PAWW referral and requests a subsequent clothing SPAL prior to the Appointment Summary being submitted to the CAO, the CAO or designated CAO liaison will reach out to PAWW to identify if the participant was served and request the total donation value/purchase price of all items the participant received to determine the remaining clothing SPAL balance to complete a second PAWW referral or issue an OTI clothing SPAL.

If a participant does not show up for their PAWW appointment and no PAWW services were provided, a notice is not required but the CAO will narrate that the participant did not show up for their appointment.

If a participant receives PAWW services, the CAO will:

Scan the Appointment Summary into imaging

Dispose of the manual alert

Narrate explanation and requirements given to the client and all actions taken

Send a manual PA/FS 162C notice to inform the participant of their remaining clothing SPAL balance:

You were determined eligible for a clothing allowance and received item(s) through the PA WORKWEAR program.

The total value of the items provided by PA WORKWEAR was (total donation value/purchase price of PA WORKWEAR service as indicated on the Appointment Summary).

The maximum amount you are eligible to receive is $150. Your remaining balance is (amount remaining toward annual limit). 55 Pa. Code 165.41, 55 Pa. Code 165.44(b)(1)(i), 55 Pa. Code 165.46

VEHICLE PURCHASE -TANF recipients only (Reason Code 261/861)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(a)(3)

As required for work or approved activities , or for employment and training. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes .

Annual and lifetime limits apply to SPAL issuance. The amount of the maximum allowance is up to $1,500 for the purchase of one vehicle in a lifetime.

Vehicle must be required to enable the individual to participate in employment or approved work-related activities including transporting a child to day care while participating in an ETP planned activity.

Other types of transportation must be evaluated in comparison to a motor vehicle down payment or purchase to determine the most practical and least costly type of transportation available to the meet the individual’s employment, education, or training need. This review should be clearly narrated in the case comments.

The allowance may be issued only if other less costly types of transportation are not available and practical.

May not be combined with motor vehicle repair allowance at time of authorization or purchase.

Verification must be provided that the vehicle is in safe operating condition at time of authorization and purchase, including valid inspections, or can be expected to pass inspection without repair.

May include sales tax, or may be used as a down payment toward the actual cost of the vehicle.

When used as a down payment, the individual must verify a plan to pay the difference between the down payment and actual purchase price, including sales tax.

Payment for motor vehicle down payment or purchase must be issued via the restricted endorsement check process.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required.

Before a SPAL for a car purchase can be authorized the CAO must take the following steps:

Review all other forms of available transportation to determine the least costly, most practical transportation available.

Require the individual to obtain and provide the following information:

A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license;

Proof of current car insurance or a viable plan to obtain and pay for car insurance;

NOTE: Validation of car insurance is made by The Department of Transportation (PennDOT) who requires proof of car insurance for individuals who Buy a Car in Pennsylvania .

Verification that the car has a current inspection sticker or can pass inspection without additional repairs;

A viable plan to pay the remaining balance if the cost of the purchase is greater than the maximum allowance;

Proof of the insurance claim information if the individual states that their previous car was in an accident;

Verification that their name has been removed from the title of a previous car if they have owned a vehicle in the past.

The E & T participant requesting the car purchase allowance must become the registered owner of the car being purchased.

A SPAL can be issued for a car with a current inspection from another state. In order to qualify for the SPAL, the individual must provide written verification from an auto mechanic certified to perform Pennsylvania state inspections that the car can pass Pennsylvania inspection, without the cost of additional repairs. If the car is determined to need repairs to pass inspection, the CAO may not authorize the special allowance.

NOTE: The out of state vehicle will be subject to a Pennsylvania state inspection within ten days of purchase.

A SPAL may not be issued to purchase a car that cannot pass required Pennsylvania state inspection criteria.

Volunteer Driver

The CAO may not approve a car purchase for a volunteer driver.

WORK, EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Annual and lifetime limits apply to SPAL issuance. The amount of the maximum allowance for all work, education , and training SPALs is the actual cost of up to $1,000 in a lifetime.

Tools/Equipment (Reason Code 257/857)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(b)(2)

Equipment or tools for employment, education or training

As required for work or approved activities , or for employment and training. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes . Limited to actual minimum cost up to $1,000 in a lifetime.

Verification that the tools and/or equipment are needed for employment or to participate in the approved activity is required.

Payment or lending programs for equipment and tools must not be available from the employer or training provider, federal, state , or other educational grants or public sources.

Non-recurring only; fee cannot be paid each semester.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required.

Example: Mr. C is offered a position with a catering service after conducting a job search. The catering service requires its employees to obtain their own restaurant-grade knives and serving utensils. Mr. C requests a special allowance for equipment and tools to purchase the knives and utensils. Mr. C verifies the requirement and is eligible to receive up to $1,000 for the actual cost of the required knives and utensils to begin employment.

NOTE : Computer, laptop, Chromebooks are all allowable SPALs if needed to support remote participation for participants engaged in DHS approved credentialing programs, GED, ABE and HSE programming. See Section 135.2 Employment and Training Activities.

Books/Supplies (Reason Code 278/878)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(b)(3)

As required for work or approved activities , or for employment and training. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes . Limited to actual minimum cost up to $1,000 in a lifetime.

Must verify items are required for enrollment or participation. An itemized estimate of costs is required.

A class schedule must be provided to verify the need for the requested books.

School supplies such as pens, notebooks and paper can also be supported and can be confirmed by the educational institution and/or the E&T provider.

Direct payment for books and supplies must not be available from federal, state or other educational grants or public sources.

Non-recurring only.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required.

Fees (Reason Code 264/864)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(b)(4)

Registration or enrollment fee for a training course or child care registration .

As required for work or approved activities , or for employment and training. May be authorized for a period up to the date the TANF benefit closes . Limited to actual minimum cost up to $1,000 per lifetime.

Must verify acceptance into the training program or that acceptance is contingent upon payment of the required fee.

May include liability insurance cost such as malpractice insurance if required for participation.

Tuition is not a fee.

Non-recurring only.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required.

NOTE: Fees for birth certificates are not an allowable SPAL.

Union Dues/Professional Fees (Reason Code 258/858)

55 Pa. Code § 165.46(b)(5)

May be authorized once per job, limited to the initial fee and/or for the period up to the date of the participants first pay . Limited to actual minimum cost up to $1,000 in a lifetime.

Payment of the fee must be required to accept a bona fide offer of employment.

Includes fees for assessing qualification requirements, bonding, certification, licensure and occupational insurance.

Non-recurring only.

Pre-expenditure approval at management level is required

Initially a discussion about the availability of SPALs needs to occur with the individual when the RESET plan is developed at application and reinforced at renewal, partial renewal or compliance review. This discussion needs to include the SPAL categories, the limits and the expectation of continued participation if the limits are reached.

W hen individuals deplete their SPAL limit for transportation they must implement an alternative plan. Alternatives may include, but are not limited to, community service near their home, independent job search from home , networking with friends and family or relocating to an area where transportation is convenient

NOTE: The CAO may not issue good cause for failure to participate in employment or a work related activity because the maximum amount for a category of a SPAL has been issued.

The CAO will place an indicator code related to transportation issues on ETP Project Enrollment. See CAH 135 Appendix B .

Two-Parent Households

Special Allowances for two-parent households need to be evaluated based on SPAL policy related to verified need of each parent for participation. SPAL s are issued and tracked by recipient number therefore each parent in a two-parent household is potentially eligible for the same category of SPAL related to their individual participation requirement. Special Allowances have specific, individual limits so under no circumstances should a SPAL be issued to one parent in the household for the intended purpose of the other parent.

Examples:

1. If both parent s in a two-parent home attend the same EARN; and use their own vehicle, only one SPAL for mileage should be issued. If the SPAL limit is reached for one parent then the other parent may request SPALs which then count toward that parent’s SPAL limit. In the same case, if a car repair is requested, the vehicle repair should be authorized for the same parent that received the mileage SPAL.

2 . If both parents attend EARN and travel by bus, each parent would be eligible for their own bus pass under public transportation SPAL and the cost of the bus pass would count against each parents SPAL limit independently .

Paid and Unpaid Activities

I f a paid work activity results in earnings which are treated as earned income, transportation SPALs associated with paid activities may be authorized up to the date the TANF benefit closes , with consideration of the least costly and most practical item or service.

SPALs associated with unpaid activities may be issued as needed and required up to the established limits to help an individual participate.

When an individual is participating in both paid and unpaid activities approved on the IEP, the specific costs related to one or both activities must be distinguished in the case narrative before SPALs may be authorized. It should include the program and activity as well as the number of hours of participation in each activity the SPAL will support.

Updated October 23, 2025, Replacing February 22, 2024