THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY QUIGLEY, AUMENT, BAKER, BARRAR, BENNINGHOFF, BOBACK, BOYD, CAUSER, CHRISTIANA, CLYMER, D. COSTA, COX, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, ELLIS, EVERETT, GABLER, GEIST, GILLEN, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HARHART, HARPER, HARRIS, HEFFLEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, KAUFFMAN, M. K. KELLER, KNOWLES, KRIEGER, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MARSICO, MASSER, METCALFE, METZGAR, MILLER, MILNE, MOUL, MURT, MUSTIO, O'NEILL, PERRY, PETRI, PICKETT, PYLE, QUINN, READSHAW, REED, REICHLEY, ROAE, ROCK, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, SCHRODER, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TOOHIL, VEREB AND VULAKOVICH, APRIL 1, 2011

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 1, 2011  

AN ACT

Amending the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31, No.21), entitled "An

act to consolidate, editorially revise, and codify the public

welfare laws of the Commonwealth," in public assistance,

further providing for definitions and for determination of

eligibility.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 402 of the act of June 13, 1967 (P.L.31,

No.21), known as the Public Welfare Code, is amended by adding

definitions to read:

Section 402.  Definitions.--As used in this article, unless

the content clearly indicates otherwise:

"Applicant" means an individual who applies for assistance

under this article.

* * *

"Recipient" means an individual who receives assistance under

this article.

* * *

"Residence" means permanent legal residence.

* * *

Section 2.  Section 432.2(b) and (c) of the act, amended or

added July 15, 1976 (P.L.993, No.202) and April 8, 1982

(P.L.231, No.75), are amended to read:

Section 432.2.  Determination of Eligibility.--* * *

(b)  As a condition of eligibility for assistance, all

applicants and recipients of assistance shall cooperate with the

department in providing and verifying information necessary for

the department to determine initial or continued eligibility in

accordance with the provisions of this act. An individual

applying for assistance shall complete an application containing

such information required to establish eligibility and amount of

grant. The application shall include, but not be limited to, the

following information:

(1)  Names of all persons to receive aid;

(2)  Birth dates of all persons to receive aid;

(3)  Social security numbers of all persons to receive aid,

or proof of application for such social security number;

(4)  Place of residence for all persons to receive aid;

(5)  The names of any legally responsible relative living

in the home;

(6)  Any income or resources as defined in this act or in

regulations promulgated pursuant to this act.

The department shall provide assistance as needed to complete

the application and shall insure that all applicants or

recipients have or promptly obtain a social security number. The

department shall determine all elements of eligibility based

upon the circumstances as exist at the applicant's place of

residence prior to awarding assistance.

(c)  The department shall determine all elements of

eligibility periodically based upon the circumstances as exist

at the recipient's place of residence and in accordance with the

provisions of this section: Provided, however, That such

determination shall not be less frequent than every six months.

The department shall require the completion of a continuing

application form at the time of redetermination recertifying the

information required by subsection (b) and the provisions of

section 432.15 shall be applicable to this subsection.

* * *

Section 3.  All regulations inconsistent with this act are

abrogated.

Section 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.