§ 165.46. Types of special allowances for supportive services.
(a) Transportation and related expenses. The Department will pay for transportation and related expenses required for an individual to engage in approved work or work-related activities up to the maximum allowance established in Appendix A (relating to work or work-related special allowances). Transport-ation-related allowances are provided for the least costly type of transportation which is available and practical considering the location and hours of scheduled approved work or work-related activity, the participant’s physical condition and the need to transport children to a child care provider. Transportation-related allowances are not provided if the activity is secondary education or an equivalent level of vocational or technical training unless the individual is pregnant or a custodial parent.
(1) Public transportation. Public transportation-related allowances are provided for costs incurred for transportation provided by bus, subway, commuter rail, taxi, paratransit or other recognized modes of transportation.
(i) An allowance for public transportation is the actual cost to the participant up to the maximum amount established by the Department in Appendix A.
(ii) Verification of the need and the cost of transportation is required.
(2) Private transportation. Private transportation-related allowances are provided for costs incurred for transportation provided by privately owned vehicles, ride sharing and car or van pools.
(i) An allowance for private transportation provided by a vehicle owned by the participant is the mileage rate established by the Department in Appendix A and the actual cost of parking and highway or bridge tolls up to the maximum amount established by the Department in Appendix A.
(ii) An allowance for transportation provided by a volunteer driver or if the participant is permitted to use another person’s vehicle is the mileage rate established by the Department in Appendix A and the actual cost of parking and highway or bridge tolls up to the maximum amount established by the Department in Appendix A.
(iii) An allowance provided for transportation by a car or van pool is the participant’s proportionate share of the cost up to the maximum amount established by the Department in Appendix A. If the participant’s share is a flat fee, the payment is the actual fee up to the maximum amount established by the Department in Appendix A.
(3) Motor vehicle purchase or repair. When there is no other type of practical transportation available or other available transportation is more expensive, a special allowance may be authorized toward the purchase, down payment or repair of a motor vehicle for an individual to participate in an approved work or work-related activity.
(i) The maximum total allowance toward a motor vehicle purchase, down payment and repair is limited to the rate and frequency established by the Department in Appendix A.
(ii) Preexpenditure approval is required.
(4) Motor vehicle-related expenses. The cost of a driver’s license, State inspection fee, emission control inspection fee, license plates and vehicle registration fee may be authorized for a participant if they are required for participation in an approved work or work-related activity.
(i) Payment is made for actual cost up to the maximum allowance and frequency established by the Department in Appendix A.
(ii) Preexpenditure approval is required.
(b) Other expenses related to approved work and work-related activities. Special allowances may be authorized for other items related to participation in approved work or work-related activities. Preexpenditure approval is required. The maximum allowances for these items are subject to the rates and frequencies established by the Department in Appendix A.
(1) Clothing. The Department may refer a participant to other public or nonprofit sources that provide clothing and grooming items at no cost. If these sources are not available or do not have appropriate clothing or other required items, the Department may authorize a special allowance for supportive services for clothing and grooming items required to participate in an approved work or work-related activity.
(2) Tools and other equipment. A special allowance may be authorized for tools and other equipment which an employer, education, employment or training provider requires for participation in an approved work or work-related activity but which are not provided by the employer, education, employment or training provider and are not available under Federal, State or other educational grants.
(3) Books and supplies. A special allowance may be authorized for books and supplies that an employer or employment and training provider requires for a participant to participate in an approved work or work-related activity if these items are not provided by the employer or training provider and are not available under Federal, State or other educational grants.
(4) Fees. A special allowance for supportive services may be authorized for a fee to take a test such as a high school equivalency test, a test that is a prerequisite for employment or for registration or enrollment fees required for an individual to enter an approved work or work-related activity. Tuition is not construed to be a fee.
(5) Union dues and professional fees. If payment of union dues or professional fees is a condition of employment, a special allowance for supportive services may be authorized to participants who receive TANF or GA cash assistance for the initial fee only and for the period up to the date of the participant’s first pay. A special allowance for supportive services may not be issued to pay for reoccurring fees, such as license fees, even if they are necessary for the individual to maintain employment.
Authority The provisions of this § 165.46 amended under sections 201(2), 403(b), 403.1, 405, 405.1, 405.1A, 405.3, 408(c) and 432 of the Public Welfare Code (62 P. S. § § 201(2), 403(b), 403.1, 405, 405.1, 405.1A, 405.3, 408(c) and 432); and the Federal Food stamp regulation in 7 CFR 273.7(d)(4).
Source The provisions of this § 165.46 adopted October 2, 1992, effective retroactive to October 1, 1990, except subsection (a) effective October 3, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 4875; amended January 8, 1999, effective February 1, 1999, 29 Pa.B. 271; amended November 19, 2010, effective November 20, 2010, 40 Pa.B. 6665; amended April 13, 2012, effective April 14, 2012, 42 Pa.B. 1992. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (354163) to (354166).
Cross References This section cited in 55 Pa. Code § 165.1 (relating to general).
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