55 Pa. Code § 125.1 - Policy
(a)
General. Application is made on an application form approved
by the Department .
(b)
Identification. At the application interview, an applicant
shall present proof of identity using documents such as a Social Security Card,
driver's license, selective service card, voter registration card, a
Departmental identification card or a work or school I.D. If documentary proof
of identification is not readily available, the worker shall attempt to verify
the applicant 's identity through a collateral contact. Examples of acceptable
collateral contacts include social service agencies, landlords, employers,
neighbors and others who can be expected to provide accurate third-party
verification.
(c)
Referral
to the domestic relations section of the court. To receive benefits
for himself, an applicant applying on behalf of a child whose eligibility is
based on deprivation due to absence of a parent from the home shall be referred
to the domestic relations section or other applicable division of the court of
common pleas unless the applicant is claiming good cause as specified in
Chapter 187 (relating to support from relatives not living with the client).
The caretaker relative may still apply for and receive benefits for eligible
minor children without completing the referral process.
(d)
Signing of application
form. Requirements for signing of an application form are as follows:
(1) The applicant , regardless of age, shall
sign prior to filing the form and again during the application
interview.
(2) Persons applied for
who are 18 years of age or older and emancipated minors 17 years of age or
younger shall sign during the application interview or within 30-calendar days
from the date of authorization.
(3)
Failure to sign shall result in the ineligibility of the person required to
sign the form.
(e)
Signing of authorization to release information form. Under
§
201.4 (relating to procedures),
the applicant or the person who is the payment name, regardless of age, and
individuals applied for or receiving cash assistance who are 18 years of age or
older and emancipated minors 17 years of age or younger shall sign the form.
Failure to sign shall result in ineligibility of the person required to sign
the form.
(f)
Signing an
agreement of mutual responsibility. Each applicant for and recipient
of cash assistance and other individuals who are required to sign an
application for assistance shall sign an AMR, as defined in §§
123.22 and
165.2 (relating to definitions;
and definitions) that must be signed and approved by the CAO.
(g)
Failure to sign or complete
AMR. An individual who is required to sign an application for
assistance who fails, without good cause, to sign or cooperate in the
completion of an AMR is ineligible for cash assistance until the individual
completes and signs an application and approved AMR.
(h)
Failure to comply with
AMR.
(1) Failure of the individual to
cooperate with child support requirements, without good cause, will result in
the penalties described in §
141.21(e)
(relating to policy).
(2) Willful
failure to comply with RESET participation requirements, without good cause,
will result in the penalties described in §
165.61 (relating to
sanctions).
(3) Failure to comply
with other aspects of the AMR, without good cause, will result in ineligibility
for cash assistance until the individual complies.
(i)
Contents of AMR. An
individual's obligations set forth in the AMR include:
(1) Remain free of alcohol and illegal drugs
if substance abuse is determined to be a barrier to employment.
(2) Participate in, maintain compliance with,
and satisfactorily complete a drug and alcohol treatment program approved by
the Department of Health or administered by an agency of the Federal
government, or both.
(3) Provide
timely and accurate information.
(4) Cooperate in establishing paternity and
obtaining support as specified in §
187.23 (relating to
requirements).
(5) Seek and
participate in an educational program leading to a high school diploma or its
equivalent, job training or work-related activities.
(6) Seek, accept and maintain
employment.
(7) Accept referral to,
participate in and continue to participate in an available work-related
activity, if applicable, including work-related activities specified on the
AMR.
(8) Accept referral to, work
in and retain employment in which the individual is able to engage and
participate in work activities specified on the AMR.
(9) Not reduce earnings without good
cause.
(10) Obtain prenatal care,
if applicable.
(11) Maintain the
health and well being of the individual's children, including the following, if
applicable:
(i) Ensuring that children attend
school and pursue a high school diploma or its equivalent.
(ii) Ensuring that children receive
immunizations, appropriate health screenings and necessary medical treatment,
consistent with Nationally recognized standards.
(iii) Performing other appropriate activities
based on an assessment of the education level, parenting skills and history of
parenting activities and involvement of each parent who is applying for
assistance.
(j)
Approved work and work-related activities. The specific work
and work-related activities approved for the individual are included on the
AMR.
(k)
Notice. A
notice approved by the Department is sent to the applicant whenever a decision
is made on the eligibility of the applicant or person for whom he is
applying.
Notes
The provisions of this § 125.1 amended under sections
201(2), 403(b), 405, 405.1, 405.3 and 432 of the Public Welfare Code
(62 P. S. §§
201(2),
403(b), 405, 405.1, 405.3 and
432); the Support Law (62 P. S. §§
1971-1977); Titles I and III of the Personal
Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (Pub. L. No.
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