55 Pa. Code § 175.23 - Requirements
(a)
Basic
allowances. Allowances used in computing the grant are dependent on
the number of persons to receive assistance and the county in which they live.
Each time the family size allowances are revised, the Department will announce
the revised allowances by a notice submitted for publication in the
Pennsylvania Bulletin and recommended codification in the
Pennsylvania Code.
(Editor's Note: The Family Size Allowances Table has been relocated to Chapter 183 Appendix B, Table 3. See 20 Pa.B. 554 (February 3, 1990). Immediately preceding text appears at serial page (130487).)
(b)
Special items.
(1)
General. Special items generally will conform with the
following:
(i) Appropriate allowances for
special items will be included in computing the grant for any client whose
circumstances are as defined in this section. A recurring allowance for any of
these items may be included in the regular grant. When a recurring allowance is
included in the regular grant, the special allowance and need must be explained
as set forth in §
227.24(d)(2)
(relating to procedures) on every Form PA 122 authorizing changes to that case
during the entire period the special allowance is included in the grant. This
will include those changes that may not affect the grant such as change of name
or address.
(ii) "One-time" grants
will be authorized for all nonrecurring allowances in accordance with §
227.24(d). A
one-time grant may be a prepayment or may be authorized after the item or
service has been received and the correct amount determined, whichever method
better suits the individual case. When authorizing a one-time grant, an
explanation of the special allowance as set forth in §
227.24(d)(2) must
also be included on the Form PA 122 or Form PA 122-E authorization and every
future one-time grant for that case during the entire period the special
allowance will be included in the regular grant.
(iii) Individuals have a right to receive
corrective payments when they have been underpaid due to agency error or delay.
In cases, corrective payment shall be made promptly, so that the client will
receive the check for the corrective payment within 30 calendar days from the
date of verification of the underpayment.
(iv) [Reserved].
(v) In most instances, as specified in this
section, these allowances must be approved by the Executive Director or his
delegate before the Form PA 122 or Form PA 122-E is authorized. In districted
counties the District Director is considered a delegate. If the Executive
Director must delegate this authority, it should be to an immediate assistant,
but no lower than a second level supervisor.
(vi) It is essential that County or District
Offices have approval procedures that insure a prompt review and decision for
all one-time grants requiring prior approval.
(2)
Transportation for necessary
medical care or to obtain prescription drugs.
(i)
Ambulance services. For
ambulance service see Chapter 1245 (relating to ambulance
transportation).
(ii)
Nonemergency transportation to medical care for prescription
drugs. Services are available to clients who have no other means of
transportation to or from a source of necessary medical care or to obtain
prescription drugs through counties and prime contractors funded by the Public
Assistance Transportation Block Grant. See Chapter 2070 (relating to
eligibility for services funded through the public assistance transportation
block grant).
(3)
Other special transportation needs. Actual minimum cost of
transportation and necessary related expenses which cannot be met from other
resources will be authorized as a one-time grant or included in the computation
of the grant if one or more of the following circumstances exist:
(i) A client who has not received a moving
allowance for any reason within the previous 12 months and must move due to a
verified health hazard, such as but not limited to unsanitary plumbing
conditions, exposed wiring, Department of Environmental Resources certification
of polluted drinking water, rat infestation, as confirmed by a housing
inspector, IMU worker observation of the condition of the home or other
documentation. The client must provide verification, on a document provided by
the Department, from a physician which clearly states the client must move
because the current residence which is unfit for habitation is contributing to
or causing specific health problems. The moving allowance must be approved by
the Executive Director or his delegate before the Form PA 122 or Form PA 122-E
will be authorized as set forth for SSI clients in §
297.3(1)
(Reserved). Note: For purposes of determining
eligibility for a transportation allowance, a rent escrow account refunded to a
recipient shall be regarded as a resource available to meet the cost of
transportation and necessary related expenses. Allowance for transportation
will conform with the following:
(A) The cost
of transportation includes transportation of clients and their household
effects, not storage, to their new residence and any necessary expenses related
to transportation enroute. The most acceptable method of determining actual
minimum cost of transportation is to have the client secure bids from
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission licensed moving companies. Only two bids
are required.
(B) Payment of a
moving allowance is limited to no more than once in a 12-month period and shall
not exceed $200 and is used to cover transportation and labor.
(C) Payment for transportation will not be
made for moves by unlicensed moving companies, except in the following
situations:
(I) Moves out of this Commonwealth
applicable only to individuals relocating to accept gainful, permanent
employment under subsection (c).
(II) Moves by bona fide associations of their
members.
(III) Moves by household
members.
(D) For the
client who prefers to rent a truck and move himself with the assistance of
friends or relatives, the following conditions apply:
(I) The truck must be leased from a
commercial rental organization such as U-Haul or Ryder.
(II) The original lease for the
transportation must be between the client or a member of the client's immediate
household and the rental organization.
(III) The role of friends and relatives or
any other unlicensed persons will be limited to providing labor for
moving.
(IV) The cost for moving
the client will be limited to the actual costs of truck rental and labor
subject to a single maximum grant of $200 in a 12-month period.
(V) If the total cost for this method is less
costly than by a moving company, it will be accepted as meeting the minimum
cost. It will not be necessary to secure bids for this method.
(ii) A client requires
transportation to apply for or accept employment, or as part of a plan for
decreasing his need for assistance, subject to a maximum of $250 per month.
This allowance must be approved by the Executive Director or a delegate before
the Form PA 122 or PA 122-E will be authorized and may not exceed 1 month
unless reapproved. For an allowance for other expenditures related to the
purposes of this subparagraph, reference should be made to subsection
(c).
(iii) A client needs
transportation to get to the place where he is to have medical or psychological
examination the Department is requiring of him. The method of payment may be by
payment of invoice as well as by Central Office or county
disbursement.
(iv) A client is
applying for the admission of his dependent child to a secondary vocational
school, which is not part of the public or parochial school system, and a
required trip is part of the application procedure.
(v) An AFDC dependent unemancipated minor,
reasonably expected to complete the program before age 19, must provide and pay
for transportation to attend a secondary school or an equivalent vocational or
technical training school which is not part of the public or parochial school
system.
(vi) A client needs
transportation which is not covered in subparagraph (ii).
(A) This transportation must be to a source
of necessary medical care which, because of very unusual circumstances,
requires an exceptional transportation service, as defined in §
2070.4 (relating to definitions),
not covered by the Public Assistance Transportation Block Grant.
(B) This transportation must be part of an
agency's or institution's plan for treatment of the recipient, his spouse,
parent, substitute parent or child.
(C) This allowance must be approved by the
Executive Director or his delegate before the Form PA 122 or Form PA 122-E is
authorized and must not exceed 1 month unless reapproved.
(vii) A client is a member of a Citizens
Advisory Committee, CBA or State, and money is needed for any of the following
expenses to enable him to attend committee meetings, in which case this
allowance must be approved in advance by the Executive Director or his
delegate. If circumstances are such that the client needs ready cash, this
allowance may be paid from the Petty Cash Fund as set forth in §
229.24(e)(9)
(relating to procedures). This allowance must be approved by the Executive
Director or his delegate before the Form PA 122 or PA 122-E is authorized. The
following is a list of allowable expenses:
(A) Transportation.
(B) Lodging.
(C) Meals.
(D) Child care for children less than 14
years of age.
(viii)
[Reserved].
(ix) Transportation
allowance for children to participate in Outreach Screening, according to
Financial Code 112 or 113.
(4)
Clothing and personal care
items. If a client who is to be admitted to a rehabilitation center,
tuberculosis sanatorium or residential school does not have the initial supply
of specified clothing and personal care items required as a condition of
admission, a one-time grant will be made. The amount will be determined as
follows:
(i) Identify the items, and the
required number of units of each such item that the client must buy and take
with him at the time of admission.
(ii) For those identified items shown on the
following list, total the prices for the required number of units.
(iii) For the purpose of meeting the cost of
incidental items not included on the following list, add $1 for a child under
16 years of age entering a tuberculosis sanatorium or residential school, or $2
for another person entering a sanatorium, rehabilitation center or residential
school.
Clothing and Personal Care Items For A Person To Be Admitted to A Rehabilitation Center, Tuberculosis Sanatorium or Residential School
| Men | |
| Item | Unit Price(in dollars) |
| Bathrobe | 7.00 |
| Belt or Suspenders | 2.00 |
| Gloves - Work | .50 |
| Handkerchief | .30 |
| Jacket or Coat (Winter) | 19.00 |
| Jacket or Coat (Summer) | 9.00 |
| Overcoat | 33.00 |
| Pajamas | 4.00 |
| Rubbers | 2.20 |
| Shirt - Short Sleeve | 1.90 |
| Shirt - Street | 3.00 |
| Shirt - Work | 2.20 |
| Shoes - Street | 8.00 |
| Slacks or Pants - Street | 8.80 |
| Slacks or Overalls - Work | 2.90 |
| Slippers - Bedroom | 3.00 |
| Slippers - Shower | 1.40 |
| Socks | .40 |
| Sweater | 6.00 |
| T-Shirt | .90 |
| Undershirt | .60 |
| Undershorts | .80 |
| Dentifrice | .50 |
| Face Cloth | .20 |
| Laundry Bag | 1.00 |
| Razor | 1.00 |
| Razor Blades | .30 |
| Toothbrush | .30 |
| Towel | .80 |
| Women | |
| Item | Unit Price (in dollars) |
| Bathrobe or Housecoat | 4.80 |
| Bedjacket | 3.00 |
| Blouse | 3.00 |
| Brassiere | 3.00 |
| Coat | 28.00 |
| Dress - House | 3.00 |
| Dress - Street | 7.00 |
| Garters | .50 |
| Girdle or Corset | 6.00 |
| Gloves | 2.00 |
| Handkerchief | .30 |
| Nightgown - Cotton | 2.80 |
| Pajamas | 4.00 |
| Panties | .60 |
| Rubbers | 2.50 |
| Shoes - Street | 7.00 |
| Skirt | 5.00 |
| Slacks, Shorts or Pedal Pushers | 3.20 |
| Slip - Cotton | 2.00 |
| Slippers - Bedroom | 2.00 |
| Slippers - Shower | 1.90 |
| Socks - Cotton | .50 |
| Stockings - Nylon | .90 |
| Sweater | 5.50 |
| Brush | 1.00 |
| Comb | .30 |
| Dentifrice | .50 |
| Face Cloth | .20 |
| Laundry Bag | 1.00 |
| Toothbrush | .30 |
| Towel | .80 |
Children Under 16 Years of Age
| Boys | |
| Item | Unit Price (in dollars) |
| Bathing Trunks | $1.80 |
| Bathrobe | 4.80 |
| Cap - Wool | 2.00 |
| Dungarees | 2.20 |
| Galoshes | 4.80 |
| Gloves | 2.80 |
| Gym Suit (Shorts and Sweatshirt) | 2.40 |
| Handkerchief | .30 |
| Jacket - Cotton Twill | 2.80 |
| Mackinaw or Peacoat | 9.00 |
| Pajamas | 2.20 |
| Shirt | 2.00 |
| Shirt - Polo | 1.10 |
| Shoes | 7.70 |
| Shorts - Cotton | 1.70 |
| Slacks - Cotton | 2.90 |
| Slacks - Corduroy | 4.40 |
| Slippers | 3.40 |
| Sneakers or Sandals | 3.80 |
| Socks | .60 |
| Sweater - 8-18 | 3.80 |
| Undershirt | .50 |
| Undershorts | .50 |
| Dentifrice | .50 |
| Face Cloth | .20 |
| Laundry Bag | 1.00 |
| Toothbrush | .30 |
| Towel | .80 |
| Girls | |
| Item | Unit Price (in dollars) |
| Bathrobe | $ 3.90 |
| Bathing Suit | 4.00 |
| Blouse | 1.90 |
| Boots | 4.80 |
| Brassiere | 1.00 |
| Coat - (Winter, Tailored-type) | 22.60 |
| Dress - Cotton | 4.00 |
| Dress - Rayon, Dress-Up | 7.40 |
| Dungarees | 2.60 |
| Garter Belt | 1.20 |
| Gym Suit | 2.70 |
| Gloves | 1.80 |
| Handkerchief | .30 |
| Nightgown | 1.90 |
| Pajamas | 2.50 |
| Panties | .50 |
| Playsuit | 2.80 |
| Shoes - Oxfords | 5.70 |
| Skirt | 4.80 |
| Slip - Cotton | 1.90 |
| Slip - Nylon Tricot | 2.90 |
| Slippers | 2.80 |
| Sneakers or Sandals | 3.60 |
| Socks | .50 |
| Stockings, Nylon | .90 |
| Sweater, Under size 12 | 2.80 |
| Sweater, Size 12 and up | 3.80 |
| Vests | .60 |
| Brush - Hair | 1.00 |
| Comb | .30 |
| Dentifrice | .50 |
| Face Cloth | .20 |
| Laundry Bag | 1.00 |
| Toothbrush | .30 |
| Towel | .80 |
(5)
Medical and surgical
supplies. Generally, payment for medical and surgical supplies will be
made to the vendor by the invoice method as set forth in §
175.74 (relating to procedures).
However, if an individual has a recurring need for hearing aid batteries, or if
the cost of servicing or maintaining a hearing aid can be determined on a
recurring basis, the actual minimum cost may be included in computing the
grant.
(c)
Grants
to decrease need for assistance. A grant to decrease need for
assistance shall conform with this subsection. General grant requirements are
as follows:
(1) To qualify for a grant to
decrease need for assistance, the client shall be receiving a Cash Assistance
grant or meet the eligibility requirements to receive one.
(2) This grant may not be used to provide for
an item that is available from another public source, such as the State Bureau
of Vocational Rehabilitation.
(3)
If a recurring allowance is included in the regular grant, it may not exceed
the categorical time limits in §
133.23(a)
(relating to requirements) without approval.
(d)
Grants to relocate minor
parents. A grant to relocate the minor parent and the dependent child
may be provided if the following requirements are met:
(1) The minor parent does not meet an
exception under §
141.21(q)
(relating to policy).
(2) The
parent, legal guardian or other adult relative lives at another location within
the State or in another state.
(3)
The minor parent and dependent child are not being forced to return to living
conditions that are not in their best interest. Payment will not be authorized
until the minor parent verifies she has permission to reside in the parent's,
legal guardians' or other adult relative's home.
(4) The allowance for transportation is for
the most economical and practical means of travel required to meet the minor
parent's and dependent child's needs.
(5) Another allowance for transportation has
not been issued within the last 12-month period.
(e)
Grant reduction. The
family size allowance, plus special need allowance, shall be reduced by the
amounts obtained by cashing an assistance check at a gambling casino,
racetrack, bingo hall or other establishment that derives more than 50% of its
gross revenues from gambling.
Notes
The provisions of this § 175.23 issued under sections 201(2) and 403(b) of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. §§ 201(2) and 403(b)); amended under section 403(b) of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. § 403(b)).
This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 141.21 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 141.42 (relating to definitions); 55 Pa. Code § 141.41 (relating to policy); 55 Pa. Code § 147.24 (relating to procedure); 55 Pa. Code § 153.42 (relating to definitions); 55 Pa. Code § 175.21 (relating to policy); 55 Pa. Code § 175.24 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 175.23 (relating to definitions); 55 Pa. Code § 187.22 (relating to definitions); 55 Pa. Code § 227.24 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 229.24 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 255.4 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 275.4 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 289.4 (relating to procedures); 55 Pa. Code § 1245.51 (relating to general payment policy); and 55 Pa. Code § 2070.5 (relating to exceptional transportation).
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