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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 01-516

NOTICES

TANF Hardship Exceptions

[31 Pa.B. 1639]

   The purpose of this notice is to announce the Department of Public Welfare's (DPW) intent to amend the Commonwealth's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) (42 U.S.C.A. §§ 601--619) State Plan to establish hardship exceptions whereby certain recipients may continue to receive TANF beyond the 60-month limit prescribed by Federal law.

   The Federal statute at 42 U.S.C.A. § 608(a)(7)(A) provides that a state may not use any of its Federal TANF funds to provide assistance to a family that includes an adult who has received TANF assistance for 60 months (whether or not consecutive). Federal regulations at 45 CFR 264.1(a)(1) provide that a state may not use Federal TANF funds for assistance to a family in which the head-of-household or spouse of the head-of-household has received TANF for 60 months. However, the statute at 42 U.S.C.A. § 608(a)(7)(C) and Federal regulations at 45 CFR 264.1(c) give states the option to extend assistance paid for by Federal TANF funds beyond the 5-year limit for up to 20% of the average monthly caseload. Assistance may be extended only if the family has a hardship as defined by the state or includes someone who has been battered or subjected to extreme cruelty.

   This notice and subsequent State Plan amendments do not create a duty or obligation upon DPW to establish, continue, renew or extend availability of the above stated policy.

   DPW invites interested persons to submit written comments and suggestions within the next 30 days concerning how DPW should define which families may qualify for the 20% hardship exemption. Comments should be addressed to Edward J. Zogby, Director, Bureau of Policy, Office of Income Maintenance, Room 431, Health and Welfare Building, P. O. Box 2675, Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675.

   Persons with a disability may use the AT&T Relay Service by calling (800) 654-5984 (TDD users) or (800) 654-5988 (Voice users).

FEATHER O. HOUSTOUN,   
Secretary

   Fiscal Note: 14-NOT-276. No fiscal impact; (8) recommends adoption.

   There is no increase in State costs with this proposal. There will be an estimated increased cost in TANF Federal funds of $4,598,000 in 2001-2002.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 01-516. Filed for public inspection March 23, 2001, 9:00 a.m.]


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