An inmate or resident of any of the following institutions is ineligible for TANF: 55 Pa. Code § 161.23
A public mental institution;
Any other public institution; or
A public penal, reform or correctional institution.
NOTE: A person on house arrest is not eligible for cash assistance, with two exceptions:
When a person is on house arrest or is on electronic monitoring (a form of house arrest) as a term of his or her probation or parole. If otherwise eligible, the person may receive cash assistance as long as he or she is meeting the requirements of their probation or parole.
When a person is on house arrest or on electronic monitoring while awaiting trial or sentencing. If otherwise eligible, the person may receive cash assistance because he or she has not been convicted or sentenced.
A person who is temporarily hospitalized in a medical institution may be eligible for TANF if:
he or she is free to make his or her own financial arrangements with the institution;
he or she is free to leave at any time, even though his or her physical condition may prevent it; and
the institution is not one established for the treatment of mental illness.
NOTE: An institution for the mentally retarded is not an institution for mental diseases. 45 CFR 233.60(a)(3)(iii)
Reissued February 19, 2013, replacing January 31, 2012