137.51 General Policy

I mplemented in August 2005, the TANF Diversion Initiative is an alternative to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Diversion covers a short-term financial gap when a household's earned income temporarily stops or reduces. The intention of Diversion is to “divert” the household from the immediate crisis and the need for ongoing TANF benefits reducing the accumulation of TANF time.

A Diversion payment is a lump sum of either one, two, or three months of the Family Size Allowance (FSA), depending on the amount and time span of the need. A Diversion period extends from the first day of the month that the County Assistance Office (CAO) authorizes Diversion until the last day of the final month of Diversion eligibility. Recipients can only receive Diversion once in 12 months.

NOTE: Diversion is not an annual entitlement to cover expected ongoing needs. The intent of Diversion is to fill a short-term, non-recurring financial gap until a household's income resumes. The CAO must base Diversion eligibility on this intent. Because Diversion is a cost-saving initiative, the CAO should evaluate each situation independently.

TANF State Plan