The CAO must screen each applicant before an application interview. The CAO may conduct the screening interview face-to-face, by telephone, or by mail.
The CAO must determine the appropriate category and explain the specific requirements to the applicant.
At the screening interview, the CAO must take the following actions:
Explain that the applicant must answer every question on the PA 600.
NOTE: Ineligible aliens not seeking benefits for themselves do not need to give specific information about their immigration circumstances. See Chapter 122.
Help the applicant fill out the PA 600.
NOTE: The CAO must offer free language-assistance services to help an applicant with limited English proficiency (LEP) complete an application.
Determine the applicant’s primary language to enter the appropriate code in eCIS, and do the following:
If the applicant has limited English proficiency, use interpreting services to explain, in the applicant’s primary language, that the CAO can provide free interpreting services.
Use interpreting services as needed during the screening interview to make sure the applicant completely understands.
Use the LEP implementation and monitoring plan established by each CAO. Each plan designates a staff member as the LEP coordinator for that office.
Review the information on the PA 600 to make sure it represents the applicant’s actual circumstances.
Determine what information needs to be verified and explain what is needed for verification.
Explain that all applicants must cooperate with the CAO to provide and verify information needed to determine eligibility.
NOTE: A domestic violence victim may get mail at an alternate mailing address, such as the CAO address or a legal substitute mailing address through the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP). See Section 108.102.
Explain what eligibility conditions must be met and what information is needed to meet the conditions. Tell the applicant how to get acceptable verification.
Explain that TANF assistance is time-limited and that cash applicants must cooperate with the CAO to develop a plan for becoming self-sufficient.
NOTE: Time limits do not apply to Medical Assistance, child care, or SNAP, with certain exceptions.
Provide the applicant the Applying for Cash flyer PA 1909. This form is available on Docushare and must be given to the applicant at the screening interview or mailed with the PA 253.
Determine what information requires verification based on the benefit and avoid unnecessary request of verification from the applicant by utilizing all available sources of information as outlined in Section 178.31.
Explain that TANF requires support action when an absent parent is involved.
Advise a pregnant woman of the Cash Assistance benefits available to her and how to add a newborn child. Explain the grace period, enumeration, and support requirements.
NOTE: Special requirements apply to an unmarried pregnant female under age 18. See Section 110.6.
Explain that the applicant may claim good cause for not cooperating with child support requirements. See Chapter 131.
Tell the applicant that the Cash Assistance grant will be reduced by 25 percent if a person fails, without good cause, to cooperate with support requirements for TANF or GA Cash Assistance.
55 Pa. Code § 153.44(b)(2)(i)(C)
Explain how spousal support is assigned to the Department and how financial ability to support is determined if a spouse is not under a court order. See Chapter 131.
Explain that a person who has a criminal history and who has not satisfied the penalty imposed by law may not receive assistance. See Section 104.48.
Explain that a person may be required to participate in an available drug and alcohol treatment program if it is determined that substance abuse is a barrier to employment. This includes anyone convicted of a felony offense for conduct that took place after August 22, 1996, related to the possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance. See Section 104.48.
Explain that a person who has refused or failed to enter into and sign the Agreement of Mutual Responsibility, without good cause, may not receive assistance.
55 Pa. Code § 133.23(a)(1)(viii)
Explain the conditions of eligibility for a full-time college student. See Chapter 114.
Explain the following information to the applicant:
A family may receive TANF assistance for a maximum of 60 months, with certain conditions and exceptions.
Assistance received as an adult head of household or spouse of the head of household counts towards the 60-month limit.
A family that includes an adult head of household or spouse of the head of household who has received his or her 60-month limit of TANF may not receive assistance. See Section 105.25.
TANF assistance received by a minor child does not count towards the 60-month limit, except for TANF received as a minor child head of household or as a minor child married to the head of household.
A family does not include a specified relative outside the TANF mandatory budget group and seeking assistance only for the minor child.
A family who is otherwise eligible for TANF except for the 60-month time limit may receive Extended TANF. See Sections 135.8 and 176.32.
Discuss the Road to Economic Self-Sufficiency Through Employment and Training Program (RESET).
Get the agreement of the applicant to apply for potential resources.
Give the applicant copies of appropriate informational brochures. See Appendix A.
Inform an applicant whose Social Security number matched with the Disqualified Recipient System's CAPDRS screen that appropriate action will be taken. If the applicant is currently serving a disqualification in the program in which the intentional program violation (IPV) occurred, the applicant will be denied benefits in that program. See Supplemental Handbook Section 910.74.
Schedule an application interview within 13 calendar days of the application filing date. Provide the client with a copy of the Appointment Notice and Verification Checklist.
Exception: When the CAO is able to determine during the screening interview that the applicant is ineligible, the CAO must deny the application unless the applicant requests an application interview. See Section 104.52.
If an application interview is not scheduled, advise the applicant of other available programs such as, but not limited to, the following:
Women's, Infants' and Children's (WIC) program
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program (EPSDT)
Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Medical Assistance (MA)
Updated January 18, 2023, replacing August 31, 2016