The CAO must advise the individual of their rights and responsibilities at the application interview. The CAO worker will explain to the applicant their rights and responsibilities from the PA600 and give it to the individual at the application and renewal interviews.
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(c)(7)(vi)
An individual has the right to:
Bring to interviews anyone they choose to review the case or represent him or her at a hearing.
Have an applicant interview within 13 calendar days of the date they complete and completes and signs the application.
Have an eligibility decision within 30 calendar days of the date they complete and completes and signs the application.
Receive a written notice that explains an eligibility decision or a change in benefit amount.
Be treated with dignity and respect.
Receive services without discrimination.
Have a home visit if they are unable to come to the CAO. (See Section 104.41).
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(a)(1)(ii)
Have information provided to the CAO kept confidential.
Appeal and have a fair hearing if they are dissatisfied with any agency action or failure to act or believes they have been discriminated against.
Examine the case record and DHS regulations and procedures.
Claim good cause from pursuing a determination of paternity and establishment of support.
Register to vote. (See Supplemental Handbook, Chapter 980).
42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(2)(A)
Use family or friends as interpreters or transliterators, rather than CAO-appointed certified professionals, if a deaf or hearing-impaired person needs the service.
Exception: The CAO must arrange for an official interpreter or transliterator for fair hearings. See Supplemental Handbook, Section 880.2, for procedures for deaf and hearing-impaired persons and Supplemental Handbook, Section 870.2 for use of interpreters or transliterators for hearings.
A client has the responsibility to:
Answer all questions on the application to the best of their ability and certify that all answers are true.
Help establish whether they are eligible by providing the necessary information and verification of all eligibility factors to the best of their ability obtaining Vital Records.
Give true and complete information about everything that may affect their eligibility.
Let the CAO know if they expect income from any source.
Report changes by the tenth of the month following the month the change occurs.
Provide a Social Security number for each individual applying for assistance.
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(b)(1)(iii)
Apply for any potential income that may decrease the need for assistance.
Cooperate with quality control and audit reviews of eligibility.
Cooperate, unless claiming good cause, with DHS or DRS in determining paternity and establishing support.
Participate in the Road to Self-Sufficiency through Employment and Training (RESET) program, unless exempt or good cause has been determined.
Acknowledge liability of real and personal property for repayment of benefits the individual, spouse, and unemancipated minor children received.
Inform DHS of any medical coverage or medical resources they have available.
Develop an Agreement of Mutual Responsibility (AMR), and take steps toward meeting the goal.
Show the ACCESS card before they receive a medical service and use the card only for services that are reasonably needed and only for eligible recipients.
Stop using the ACCESS card when they are no longer eligible.
Not put money or possessions in someone else's name to qualify for benefits.
Not make changes to any cards or documents sent by the CAO.
The CAO must:
Work with the individual to establish a plan for independence.
Make application forms readily available to anyone who wishes to apply.
Provide help as needed to complete the application process.
Provide information about DHS and other agency services, including Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT), family planning, and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(c)(7)(vi)(B)
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(c)(7)(vi)(D)
Respect the personal dignity and right to privacy of each individual.
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(a)(1)(ii)
Provide verification of TANF and SNAP benefits when requested by the school district for Free/Reduced Cost School Meals, see DHS Publication 567 3/13 (available on Docushare).
Provide information to applicants and recipients about their potential eligibility for reduced telephone costs through Lifeline Services, and offer these services at application and renewal interviews.
Note: See details and participating phone companies on the PA 1799, available on Docushare and the following websites.
For CAO inquiries only, call the Pennsylvania Telephone Association (http://www.patel.org) at 717-238-8311.
Explain the support requirements, the right to claim good cause and the sanctions for failure to cooperate without good cause.
Determine eligibility within 30 calendar days, and authorize benefits to eligible applicants.
Provide a written notice of any eligibility decision.
Give each individual the opportunity to appeal if the individual is dissatisfied with any agency action.
Give each individual the opportunity to register to vote.
42 U.S.C. § 1973gg-5(a)(2)(A)
Provide information about special cash allowances available to individuals and families with special needs, such as medical transportation and allowances for childcare and relocation.
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(c)(7)(vi)(B)
55 Pa. Code § 125.24(c)(7)(vi)(D)
Discuss TANF Diversion with TANF applicants who meet diversion criteria. See Chapter 137.5.
Explain that deaf and hearing-impaired individuals may use family or friends as interpreters or transliterators, with one exception: At a fair hearing, the CAO must arrange for an official interpreter or transliterator.
The CAO must not:
55 Pa. Code § 121.1(b)(3)(i)–(iv)
Enter a home by force, without permission, or under false pretenses.
Search a home, rooms, closets, drawers, or papers for clues of possible deception.
Question an individual based on a presumption of guilt.
Make unannounced home visits.
Exception: Unannounced home visits are allowed to get information that may not be available if the individual knows the visit is to be made, such as when there is suspected fraud or reason to believe that submitted verification (for example, verification of a parent’s continued absence) is false.
Improperly disclose confidential client information.
Updated October 21, 2024, replacing September 17, 2014.