An applicant who is on strike may choose to get benefits. If he or she does get benefits, an overpayment is established on the last day of the month if he or she is still on strike. If the applicant chooses not to get benefits and reapplies when the strike ends, benefits begin as of the original application date if the applicant is not on strike on the last day of the application month. 55 Pa. Code § 141.41(c)
A striker who is not required to be in the budget group may choose not to be included in the application to avoid an overpayment.
Examples:
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson apply for TANF benefits for themselves and two children on July 19. Mr. Wilson is on strike. The CAO explains the choices, and he chooses to get benefits. On August 1, the CAO verifies that Mr. Wilson was on strike on July 31 and is still on strike. An overpayment is processed for the period July 19 through July 31 and for each following calendar month in which Mr. Wilson is on strike on the last day of the calendar month.
Mr. and Mrs. Black apply for TANF benefits for themselves and three children on March 4. Mr. Black is on strike. The CAO explains the choices, and the Blacks withdraw their application. They reapply on March 19. The strike ended March 17. The Blacks would like benefits until Mr. Black gets his paycheck. The CAO determines the Blacks are eligible and authorizes benefits retroactive to March 4, the first application date.
Reviewed July 30, 2013