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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | July 6, 2023 09:09 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Darisha K. Parker |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Improving Access to TANF for Those Taking Care of a Relative’s Children |
| Grandparents and other non-parent relatives play a vital role in the upbringing of children across the Commonwealth. As of 2021, an estimated 259,000 children in Pennsylvania live in a household where grandparents or other relatives are the main caretakers and roughly 235,515 grandparents are responsible for their grandchildren. Unfortunately, over 20% of grandparents that are the primary caretakers of children are living below the poverty level. However, current law requires any applicant or recipient who applies for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, whether they are a parent or nonparent, to pursue support against the non-custodial parent. There are far too many barriers to receiving assistance for non-parent relatives that are taking care of their family member’s children, and far too many of these relatives are struggling to make ends meet to provide for such children. That is why I am introducing legislation to adjust the Child Support Enforcement Program to require that only applicant and recipient parents must meet the requirements listed under the program in order to receive assistance for the child. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation that would limit the number of obstacles a relative who is looking after a family member’s child must go through in order to receive assistance so that every child in Pennsylvania has access to what they need. |
Introduced as HB1962
Memo Updated: July 6, 2023 09:10 AM