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DIVERSION PAYMENT PROGRAM (DPP) 3.7

A head of household who is applying for TANF may be provided with cash assistance under DPP instead of receiving a TANF grant. DPP is used to resolve an immediate short-term financial need which, if resolved, will allow the applicant to continue in current employment or accept new employment. During TANF applicant intake, the SSR should assess whether an applicant is an appropriate candidate for DPP.

If the applicant indicates during the initial interview or subsequent discussions but prior to TANF approval that employment could be retained or obtained if a work-related crisis can be quickly resolved, then the SSR should inform the applicant of the program and encourage the use of DPP rather than TANF. Receipt of DPP does not count toward the TANF 60-month time limit.

It is important to note that an individual may not apply for DPP. It is the responsibility of the SSR to consider if DPP is appropriate, discuss it with the applicant, and, if appropriate, recommend DPP over TANF.

DPP is available to cover expenses that, if paid, will assure retention of employment or the ability to accept bona fide employment in lieu of monthly TANF assistance. These expenses include but are not limited to:

 auto insurance,  motor vehicle repair,  rent and utilities (but not utilities alone),  work clothes, and  professional licenses and fees.

In order to be considered for DPP, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

 have a job or bona fide offer of employment which s/he is willing to accept;  meet both TANF income and assets tests (see Section 3.4: Determining Asset Eligibility/Asset Budgeting and Section 8.4: Determining Income-Eligibility in Part VI), except that the income of an applicant who would risk losing his or her job if the Diversion Payment was not provided is excluded;  live with a minor child of a specified acceptable degree of relationship (See Section 5.4: Who is a Relative in Part IV);  have no receipt of TANF or POWER benefits (See Section 3.10: Program On Work, Employment and Responsibility (POWER) in this Chapter) in the last six months and no receipt of a DPP payment in the prior twelve months;  have an immediate financial barrier which if eliminated will enable the individual to obtain or retain employment;  agree to accept the one-time DPP payment rather than TANF assistance; and  complete and sign the Combined Application, a Customer Statement of Need, and Customer/Agency Agreement for a DPP payment. If the applicant/recipient is married, both partners must sign the form.

If the applicant is employed or able to accept a bona fide offer of employment, the applicant must complete a Customer Statement of Need explaining in his/her own words why a DPP payment will prevent the need for an on-going TANF payment. The applicant should state and provide proof of why the current problem will disrupt current employment or create a barrier to future employment. For example, a rent arrearage by itself may not disrupt or prevent employment, but a rent arrearage which has resulted in an eviction notice may serve to disrupt actual or intended employment.