PA County Assistance Office: What to Bring When Applying for a Grandchild's Benefits

Walking into a County Assistance Office with the right documents means your application gets processed. Walking in without them means another trip. Here's exactly what to bring when you're filing for Child-Only TANF, SNAP, and Medical Assistance for a grandchild or relative's child in Pennsylvania.

The Core Documents

These cover the CAO's verification requirements across all three programs. Bring originals and a copy of each — the office may need to photocopy them, and having your own set prevents headaches later.

Child's identity and age:

• State birth certificate (first choice)
• Alternatives if the birth certificate is delayed: hospital birth record, passport, green card, baptismal certificate, or school enrollment records
• Social Security card or number, if you have it

Your identity:

• Pennsylvania driver's license or state ID card
• Alternatives: passport, military ID, employer ID, voter registration card

Proof of kinship relationship:

• Birth certificates that link you through the family tree. For a grandparent, that's the child's birth certificate (showing the parent) and the parent's birth certificate (showing you).
• If those records are hard to get: a written statement of kinship is legally sufficient under 55 Pa. Code § 127.21 unless someone contradicts it. Write and sign a statement explaining your relationship. A corroborating statement from a third party (another family member, neighbor, pastor) strengthens it.

Proof of Pennsylvania residence:

• Utility bill, lease or rental agreement, mortgage statement
• Alternatives: mail addressed to you at the household, employer verification, or a landlord's written affidavit

Child's income documentation (if any):

• Social Security survivor benefit award letter
• Child support payment statement from Domestic Relations
• Bank statements showing deposits in the child's name
• Most children have no countable income — if that's the case, you still need to be ready to confirm it

Your income documentation (for SNAP, not for TANF):

• Last 30 days of pay stubs, pension statements, Social Security award letter
• Tax returns or W-2s from the last year
• Any other unearned income documentation

Your income doesn't count for Child-Only TANF, but the CAO needs it for the SNAP portion of the application.

What to Tell the Caseworker

Two things to say up front:

1. "I'm applying as a non-needy caretaker relative for child-only TANF." This ensures the caseworker creates the right budget group — one where your income is excluded from the TANF calculation.
2. "I'd like to apply for TANF, SNAP, and Medical Assistance on the same PA 600." One application covers all three programs. Filing together is faster than filing separately.

After You Submit

The CAO has these processing deadlines:

• TANF: 30 calendar days
• Medical Assistance: 30 to 45 calendar days
• Expedited SNAP: 5 calendar days if your household income and liquid resources fall below federal emergency thresholds

Keep every receipt, tracking number, and copy of what you submitted. SNAP appeals may be filed orally; for TANF and Medical Assistance, follow the appeal method and deadline in your written notice. Keep a record of any appeal request. If the office gives you a receipt or confirmation number, hold onto it.

If You Can't Get to the Office

File through COMPASS online using the same Form PA 600. You can upload scanned or photographed documents. You can also mail or fax a paper PA 600 to your local CAO — call them to confirm the fax number.

For the complete verification checklist organized by document type, with alternative proofs and self-attestation rules, the Pennsylvania Kinship Financial Help Guide covers every scenario.

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