Certain individuals who live with the TANF child must be included in the budget group. Mandatory members of a TANF budget group include the following:
The biological or adoptive parents of the TANF child or a minor parent who does not meet any of the exemptions under Section 110.6
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(B)
Siblings of the TANF child who meet the conditions in Section 110.42.
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(C)
An individual is still a mandatory budget group member even if they are TANF ineligible for any reason including, but not limited to, the following:
Not being a U.S. citizen, a resident noncitizen , or an eligible refugee
Failure to comply with:
Quality control review
Criminal History requirements
Failure to:
Sign required forms
Apply for a Social Security number
NOTE: The individual must be included in the TANF budget group, with an appropriate eligibility status code indicating sanctioned/disqualified or not eligible. The income and resources of this person must be considered in determining the eligibility for the rest of the eligible members of the budget group.
When the individual regains eligibility, their eligibility status code must be changed from ineligible to eligible status in the budget group, and a one-time issuance (OTI) completed to ensure the individual receives the correct benefit amount from the date of compliance to the date their ES status became effective (unless the mandatory member is a child. See Section 110.213).
Example: Ms. Jones (NS) provides verification of compliance with fines and costs on 10/01/xx. Her ES status change is effective payment date 10/10/xx. An OTI is issued for the period of 10/01/xx thru 10/09/xx.
Exceptions: A person must not be included if:
They are getting SSI, including special SSI recipient status (the person is working and is not eligible for SSI cash benefits but gets Medical Assistance).
They are getting Title IV-E or state or local foster care or adoption assistance, unless the child’s inclusion in the budget group would increase the group’s benefits. If the inclusion of the adopted child would increase the benefits, then the child must be included in the budget group and their income from the federal, state, or local subsidies must count in the eligibility determination and benefit computation. See Chapter 127 and Chapter 150.
They are a child in the subsidized permanent legal custodianship (SPLC) program, unless including them would benefit the budget group. Any subsidy received by the legal custodian is considered income to the child so that the family is able to provide appropriate care and support to meet the child’s needs. The income is not counted unless the child is included in the budget group.
Failure to add a mandatory person to a budget group may result in an overpayment or in the ineligibility of the entire budget group. See Chapter 168.
The CAO must include the biological or adoptive parents living with the TANF child in that child's budget group or a minor parent who does not meet any of the exemptions under Section 110.6.
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(B)
A stepparent is not a mandatory budget group member. The CAO must not include a stepparent in the TANF budget unless requested or they are designated as the specified relative.
A parent must be included in the budget group as one of the following:
A specified relative (eligibility code ES or NS). If both parents are in the budget group, they are both coded ES or NS.
A parent, 18 years of age or older, who is required to be included in the budget group because their own child is eligible for TANF but who is not the specified relative (code EA).
A minor parent who is age 17 or younger and is exempt from the requirement to live in the home of a parent, legal guardian, other adult relative, or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement and is the specified relative (code ES).
A minor parent who is age 17 or younger and (a) is required to live in the home of a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative or in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement, or (b) must be included in the budget group because their own child is eligible for TANF or (c) is pregnant and eligible for TANF, and who is not designated the specified relative (code EP). If that minor parent is required to be included in the budget group of their TANF siblings who live in the common residence, then they are coded EC.
NOTE: The CAO must review and update any eligibility status codes when a person is added to or removed from the budget group.
Example: Mrs. Evans and three daughters, age 14, 15, and 19, reside together. Mrs. Evans (ES) and children 14 and 15 (both EC) are eligible for TANF benefits because of the absence of the children’s father. Mrs. Evans is the payment name. The 19-year-old child does not qualify for assistance at this time. Mrs. Evans passes away and the 19-year-old-child assumes care and control of their siblings. The 19-year-old child qualifies as the specified relative to the children and is added to the TANF budget group as the specified relative (ES) and payment name.
The CAO must include a sibling living with the TANF child if the sibling meets the following TANF eligibility conditions:
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(i)(C)
Age (see Chapter 121)
Deprivation (see Chapter 129)
The relationship must be by blood (for example, brother or half-brother) or by adoption. A child getting Title IV-E or state, or local foster care or adoption assistance must not be included as a member of a TANF budget group unless including the child in the budget group would increase the budget group’s benefits. The child must be included in the budget group if benefits would increase.
A stepbrother or stepsister is not a mandatory budget group member. The CAO may include the stepsibling if they are designated as the specified relative.
NOTE: A step relationship is not a blood relationship. Half siblings have one parent in common. Stepsiblings have no parents in common.
Example: Mr. and Mrs. Brown, their child, Brenda; Mrs. Brown's child from a previous marriage, Susan; and Mr. Brown's child from a previous marriage, Bob, live together.
Mr. Brown is Susan’s parent.
Mrs. Brown is Bob’s parent.
Brenda and Susan are half siblings.
Brenda and Bob are half siblings.
Susan and Bob are stepsiblings.
Code EC is used for the child who is included as a TANF child’s sibling.
Code EP is used for a minor parent who:
a. is age 17 or younger
b. is not designated the specified relative
c. is not qualified as a TANF dependent
d. is required to live in the home of a parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative or in an adult supervised supportive living arrangement or
e. must be included in the budget group because their own child is eligible for TANF
f. is pregnant and eligible for TANF.
Code EC is used if a minor parent also qualifies as a TANF dependent and is required to be included in the TANF budget group of a sibling who is eligible as a TANF dependent child.
Code ES is used for a minor parent who is exempt from the requirements listed in Section 110.6 and is designated as the specified relative.
Revised July 10, 2024, replacing August 16, 2013