An institution is an establishment that: 55 Pa. Code § 161.21(d)
furnishes food and shelter to three or more persons unrelated to the owner; and
provides some necessary care or service in addition to food, shelter and laundry.
Examples: Nursing homes, convalescent homes, homes for the aged and infirm, hospitals, jails, prisons, patient rehabilitation centers and boarding homes for adults that provide personal care and services.
A person is considered to be in an institution if he or she is admitted to participate in the living arrangements and to receive treatment or services provided there which are appropriate to his or her requirements. 45 CFR 233.60(b)(2)
An institution is considered to be public if a governmental unit controls its management or administration and provides the major part of the funds. 55 Pa. Code § 161.22
An institution is considered to be private if its management, administration, and operations are privately controlled and if it receives funds from private or from both private and public sources. 55 Pa. Code § 161.22
Some facilities are not considered institutions for the purpose of cash assistance eligibility.
Examples: Maternity homes; Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Centers; Detoxification Units; community residential facilities under contract to, or operated by, state, county or municipal authorities, such as Community Correction Centers (CCCs).
CCCs are residential facilities contracted and operated by the Department of Corrections for persons in pre-release programs or on parole.
Persons on pre-release are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections, Bureau of Community Corrections (BCC).
Persons on parole are under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.
Persons in a CCC or in one of the contracted facilities under BCC’s jurisdictions may receive cash assistance if they are in compliance with criminal history requirements (see Section 104.48) and otherwise eligible for TANF (for a pregnant female).
CCCs do not provide medical care, food or free shelter and the residents are not considered inmates. Residents of a contracted facility receive meals. County and municipal prison authorities operate similar facilities. For a listing of Community Corrections Centers and contracted facilities by region, go to the following website:
http://www.cor.state.pa.us/ccc/site/default.asp
NOTE: Persons in a CCC who are on pre-release status have not completed the minimum period of incarceration. The paroled resident’s correction counselor or case manager from a contracted facility may provide the name of the resident’s parole agent. The parole agent can provide information regarding a resident’s compliance with parole requirements while at a CCC or a contracted facility.
NOTE: If a facility is not listed, contact the BCC Center’s regional office for their area to make sure the facility in question is contracted by the Department of Corrections.
Updated July 14, 2017, Reviewed July 30, 2013