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DHS has several forms of universal notification to inform applicants and recipients about TANF FVO policies and procedures relating to DV services, good cause waivers, program requirements, and safeguards. Brochures and palm cards that explain DV, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking. They contain telephone numbers of local statewide county DV agencies and are required to be available on demand for distribution in each CAO. These items may be dispensed by CAO staff and must be placed in areas of the CAO accessible to the public such as restrooms for discreet access and the public waiting area within the office. DV awareness posters related to DV, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking are required to be posted in each CAO notifying individuals of assistance and promoting awareness and prevention. Applicants and recipients are provided informational forms which provides them an opportunity to waive certain program requirements using good cause. In addition, the TANF Pennsylvania Application for Benefits form includes a tear-out sheet explaining DV, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and stalking, providing DV hotline telephone numbers, explaining good cause and the availability of being temporarily excused from certain TANF program requirements.

The Department uses Federal FVO regulations governing good cause for failing to cooperate with child support requirements based on a claim of DV, sexual harassment, sexual assault and stalking. Applicants and recipients who are unable to safely provide documentation of good cause within the established time frames for providing verification may sign a self-affirmation of the facts to be considered for a good cause waiver.

Link with Medical Assistance

TANF eliminated the automatic granting of Medical Assistance benefits to cash assistance recipients. However, it provided states the opportunity to maintain the link by ensuring that their TANF design is no less restrictive in certain financial and non- financial criteria. Since Pennsylvania’s TANF program does ensure this, TANF cash recipients continue to qualify for Medical Assistance benefits.

The Department maintains a joint application for the federally-funded Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and will continue to do so now that CHIP is administered by the Department and eligibility for CHIP is determined by the Medicaid agency.

COMPASS is an online application for Pennsylvanians to apply for health and human services benefits and is also available as a myCOMPASSPA Mobile App. COMPASS automatically routes an application to the agency. Individuals can apply, renew and check the status of their application through COMPASS. An individual who receives benefits can establish a “My COMPASS Account” which allows them to view their benefits and report changes.

Pennsylvania moved the determination of eligibility for CHIP into the Medicaid agency in 2016. DHS is administering CHIP through the Medicaid system since 2023. Determining eligibility for CHIP within the same agency and eligibility system as Medical