The CAO will send a timely and adequate Advance Notice before taking these actions: 55 Pa. Code §133.4(b)(1)
Terminating TANF due to a permanent move out of state.
Decreasing, suspending or discontinuing a monthly assistance payment, unless the action is being taken due to information received on the Semiannual Reporting (SAR) form.
Reducing or terminating a service.
Discontinuing a special items allowance if the end date was not specified on the Notice to Applicant when the allowance was authorized.
EXCEPTION: This does not apply to a special allowance for supportive services. See Section 177.4 for procedures when changing the method of payment of a special allowance for supportive services or reducing, suspending, or discontinuing a special allowance for supportive services.
Establishing a protective payee or vendor payment according to Supplemental Handbook Chapter 960, Protective Payments and Supplemental Handbook Chapter 940, Vendor Payments; or
Discontinuing or reducing the monthly assistance payment for a budget being actively transferred from one county to another.
In addition to the information listed in Section 177.1 that is included on all notices, the Advance Notice will include: 55 Pa. Code §133.4(e)
a statement of the proposed action;
the new semimonthly payment amount;
an explanation of the reason for the action, and the facts and figures on which the decision was made;
the regulations for the proposed action, and the 55 Pa. Code Citation, CFR citation, Federal law citation, State law citation or Court Order number citation;
the effective date of the proposed action;
when applicable, a statement of the action needed to establish continued eligibility;
the availability of continuing benefits if an action is appealed; and
the name and telephone number of the person to contact for more information or to request a fair hearing.
Process the Advance Notice at least 15 calendar days before the effective date of the action. This 15-day period provides the client time to exercise his right of appeal and to receive continued benefits pending the hearing decision. If the 15-day period expires on a weekend or holiday and the CAO receives a request for a hearing on the next work day, benefits will continue unchanged pending the hearing decision. 55 Pa. Code §133.4(b)(2)
EXAMPLE: Ms. Collins reports a change on October 8 that will decrease cash assistance benefits. The worker processes the change on a manual notice on Tuesday, October 12. The mailing date for the notice is October 13. The date entered on the manual notice to file a timely appeal is October 27, which is 15 days from the October 12 processing date.
If the CAO cannot send the Advance Notice within the time limits, the effective date for the action will be the next regular payment date.
The CAO will take the proposed action when the client does not request a hearing by the end of the 15th calendar day.
If the client does respond to the Advance Notice within the 15-day time period, continue benefits in the current amount pending the hearing. See Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 870, Appeal and Fair Hearing.
NOTE: The CAO will not send a Confirming Notice upon completion of an action proposed on an Advance Notice.
Do not use the Advance Notice to schedule appointments or to request information.
Reviewed July 30, 2013