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Delaware’s TANF State Plan 10-1-2017 to 9-30-2020

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The once a year limitation on Diversion Assistance and the period of ineligibility can be eliminated when good cause exists. Good cause exists when circumstances beyond the client's control make re-application for Diversion Assistance or TANF necessary. Examples of good cause are the employer lays off the parent or a serious illness forces the parent to stop working.

The family is eligible for TANF related Medicaid in the month in which the Diversion Assistance payment is made. The family would remain eligible for Section 1931 Medicaid (TANF related Medicaid) until the family's income exceeds the standard of need. If the family's income exceeds the standard of need because of increased earnings or loss of the $30 plus 1/3 disregard and the parent is working, the family may be eligible for Transitional Medicaid.

Diversion Assistance does not count as income in the child care program. Families receiving Diversion Assistance may also be eligible to receive child care under Delaware's working poor child care program if their income does not exceed 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Receipt of Diversion Assistance would not bar receipt of Food Supplement benefits, and food benefit applications will be actively solicited from individuals requesting Diversion Assistance.

Diversion Assistance does not count against the time limit on receipt of assistance.

The family will not have to assign child support to the State. Child support received by the parent or the Division of Child Support Services (DCSS) will belong to the family. DCSS will not use child support to offset or reimburse the Diversion Assistance.

Diversion Assistance is not intended to replace TANF's Emergency Assistance Program or Supportive Services payments, which will continue. The TANF Emergency Assistance Program provides identical benefits that were provided under Delaware's State Plan in effect on August 21, 1996 (see Appendix A). Rather, Diversion Assistance expands the opportunities to access services to support employment.

Child Welfare Services to Assist Needy Families in Maintaining Children in the Home of Their Parent(s) or a Relative Caregiver

These services are provided when conditions exist requiring the intervention of the Division of Family Services (DFS). Services or payment for services for the child or family is provided to deal with the conditions that caused the need for the services and the child or family is not eligible for such services under Title IV-E. The services provided are those identified by DFS as needed to meet the needs of the child. These include investigation, case management, community and home based intervention services, foster care maintenance payments for