The CAO may include the following persons who live with the TANF child but who are not required to be members of the TANF budget group:
One person who is designated as the specified relative of the TANF child but is not the parent (coded ES or NS). See Chapter 127.
An essential person-(coded EE).
Children getting Title IV-E or state or local adoption assistance only when including the child in the budget group would increase the budget group’s benefits. The adopted child must be included if it would increase the benefits. His or her income from the federal, state, or local subsidies is then counted in the eligibility determination and benefit computation. See Chapter 150.
All persons included in the TANF budget must meet TANF eligibility requirements, such as citizenship, enumeration, income, and resources.
Related or unrelated persons who live in the common residence and are not required to be in a TANF budget group may, by mutual agreement, apply together as one GA budget group.
Citations:
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(ii)
A person may be included as an essential person in the TANF budget group if he or she does not meet the requirements as a TANF child, specified relative, or mandatory budget group member. The person who is the payment name must request that the essential person be included in the budget group and must agree to receive assistance for him or her. The essential person has the right to refuse to be included in the TANF budget group, because TANF is limited to 60 months in a person’s lifetime. The essential person is coded EE.
The person must be related to the TANF child to be eligible as an essential person. The essential person must also be eligible for GA.
Citations:
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(ii)(C)
55 Pa. Code § 171.21(a)(1)(ii)(D)
Reissued June 27, 2005, replacing November 2, 2004; Reviewed January 31, 2012