A Pennsylvania resident is a resident of the county in which he or she lives. An individual must apply for MA in the county of residence. 55 Pa. Code § 148.11
A resident who is temporarily living in another county or state because he or she is an inpatient at a hospital or studying at a school may complete the PA 600 and send it to the CAO in his or her county of residence. The CAO in the county of residence must determine the individual’s eligibility for MA and dispose of the application.
NOTE: If an application is received by the CAO in the county where an individual is temporarily living, that CAO must forward it to the CAO in the county of permanent residence.
NOTE: Individuals enrolled in the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) may use an alternate address outside of their county of residence. (See Cash Assistance Handbook, Section 108.102, Alternate Address.)
If a resident is living in an institution in Pennsylvania for something other than inpatient hospital care, the county of residence is considered the county where the institution is located.
A child who receives placement maintenance or subsidized adoption assistance from another state is a resident of the Pennsylvania county in which he or she is living. 55 Pa. Code § 148.19
For a child placed in a home in Pennsylvania by a Pennsylvania court, the application for MA is made by the Children and Youth Agency that made the placement. The CAO in the county where the agency is located must determine the child’s eligibility and dispose of the application. (See Supplemental Handbook Chapter 850, Foster Care and Adoption Assistance, for complete information on benefits for IV-E children.) 55 Pa. Code § 148.20
Updated February 14, 2012, Replacing January 31, 2009