The CAO will provide applicants and recipients with information about: 55 Pa. Code § 108.3
Policies and procedures relating to domestic violence.
Voluntary referrals to available domestic violence services.
Availability of good cause waivers of certain TANF program requirements.
Specific information about program requirements if a waiver is not requested.
Safeguards that may help the individual safely comply with program requirements, including placement of a Family Violence Indicator (FVI) on Department and DRS files and other confidentiality records, forms and documents.
Opportunities to participate as a volunteer in work or work-related activities, including education and training, and to receive supportive services, if the individual receives a good cause waiver. See Cash Assistance Handbook Section 135.6. 55 Pa. Code § 165.31 55 Pa. Code § 165.41
The CAO will:
Have the brochure “Domestic Violence, You Have A Right To Be Safe” (CM 305-04/13) available in the reception area for all clients (see Appendix A);
Place palm cards (Pub 388-04/13) in ladies’ restrooms and other locations so that women in need may take one (see Appendix A); and
Display posters (see Appendix A) provided to every CAO about the FVO in the reception areas. Initial supplies of the posters were distributed to CAOs. Additional sets may be ordered.
The CAO will provide oral notification to applicants and recipients of the right to claim good cause based on domestic violence as follows: 55 Pa. Code § 108.5(e)
At the application and renewal interviews;
Prior to a referral to the DRS;
At an Employment and Training compliance review, in which the recipient participates. See Cash Assistance Handbook Section 135.32;
When the Department has reason to believe a family or household member has been subjected to or is at risk of further domestic violence.
Signs of abuse may include visible injuries, reluctance to share information about the non-custodial parent of the children, missed appointments, difficulty meeting work requirements, anxious behavior, or controlling or abusive behavior on the part of an accompanying partner.
CAOs will provide applicants or individuals who have not previously disclosed domestic violence with written notification (PA 1747.2) of the right to claim good cause based on domestic violence: 55 Pa. Code § 108.4 55 Pa. Code § 108.5
At the application interview;
Prior to referral to the Domestic Relations Section (DRS) for child support;
When teen parent requirements are discussed;
When Employment and Training requirements are discussed;
When the Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR) is developed;
Prior to imposing a sanction for noncooperation with child support requirements;
Prior to denying, terminating, reducing or suspending benefits due to failure to comply with a TANF program requirement.
NOTE: Until the PA 1747.2 Domestic Violence Individual Notice is automated, the CAO will mail the PA 1747.2 when system-generated PA/FS 162 A or PA /FS 162 C notices and all manual notices are sent to individuals in a non-DV case who are subject to grant reduction, sanction or budget closing for the following reasons:
Failure to comply with support requirements;
Failure to comply with RESET requirements;
Failure to provide information to verify conditions of eligibility;
Failure to keep reapplication interview appointment;
Failure to comply with TANF Work Support;
Failure to sign, return a mailed AMR for ETANF;
Requests that TANF cash assistance be discontinued;
This notice shall include an explanation of: 55 Pa. Code § 108.5(d)
The availability of referrals for assistance with domestic violence;
The availability of good cause waivers of TANF/GA program requirements based upon domestic violence; and
Confidentiality protections.
The PA/CS 173 WP (Support and Good Cause Notice) provides written notice of this information for support requirements. The PA 1747.2 (Family Safety Notice and Domestic Violence Individual Notice) is the written notice that provides information about domestic violence waivers for families facing denial, termination, reduction, or suspension of benefits or sanction. Information from the Family Safety Notice is included on the PA 600. The Family Safety Notice is on the front and the Domestic Violence Individual Notice is on the reverse side of the PA 1747.2. The PA/CS 173 WP and PA 1747.2 are available on Docushare.
NOTE: The PA 1747.2 should be handed to the individual in person whenever possible prior to adverse action on the case. When this is not possible, the CAO should check to see whether the individual has elected to use an alternate address (see Section 108.102, Alternate Address) before sending this notice. If it is not possible to hand the notice to the individual, there is no alternate address, and the individual has disclosed domestic violence, do not proceed with the adverse action if the adverse action is a sanction.
Please refer to Section 108.81, Verification: Domestic Violence Verification Form (PA 1747) for instructions on how to complete the verification process.
Reissued August 6, 2013, replacing September 18, 2012