137.55 Eligibility Determination

AUTHORIZE IN 30 DAYS

A 30-day time frame exists to authorize Diversion, the same as TANF. The CAO should assist the applicant in applying for supplemental benefits and, if possible, hasten the time frame to help make the best use of a Diversion payment.

A delay in eligibility-determination for supplemental benefits should not delay authorization of Diversion – the same as a third - party delay does not hold back authorization of cash benefits. Timely authorization ensures the applicant family’s financial requirements are covered and helps prevent a later need for TANF.

NOTE: If an applicant does not provide pending information for Diversion, and the 30-day authorization time frame has expired, the applicant may request a reconsideration of the original application or reapply for TANF or Diversion at any time.

DETERMINE NEED

To calculate the total short-term financial gap during the Diversion period, the CAO will review verification for each item of need.

Examples of financial needs (including but not limited to): Work expenses (such as uniforms or tools); transportation expenses (such as car repairs/inspections, car payment, insurance premiums); childcare costs; housing expenses (such as mortgage payments, rent, home repairs, or utilities); costs to relocate to secure employment.

Verification of financial needs: Bills, creditor letters, landlord payment book, etc. If verification of the need already exists in the case record, the budget group is not required to duplicate the verification to qualify for a Diversion payment.

NOTE: A budget group's Diversion payment for one, two, or three months may exceed the verified financial need. The CAO considers these excess Diversion funds as available for the family’s unexpected or unspoken needs.

REMINDER: A Diversion payment, alone or added to other assistance (such as SNAP benefits, Medical Assistance, supplemental benefits, or help from a third party) must meet the total need. If not, the CAO cannot authorize Diversion.

SUPPLEMENT A DIVERSION PAYMENT

The CAO will weigh effectiveness of supplemental benefits and community resources chosen by the applicant family. This includes help from a third party. The combined supplemental help must be able to cover whatever needs that a Diversion payment, alone, cannot cover during the Diversion period.

NOTE: Capturing all expenses during the Diversion period can eliminate the family’s need for TANF later. Reviewing eligibility for available programs and services helps determine if a Diversion payment can meet the total financial need. Before deciding if a community agency’s supplemental benefits are viable, the CAO must receive verification of benefit date, exact nature, and quantity.

The CAO will subtract the value of supplemental benefits—whether in funds or “in kind”—from the total budget group need. This determines the remaining financial need that the Diversion payment must cover.

ADDED BENEFITS TO DECREASE NEED The CAO offers supplemental benefits to decrease the family need. This enables a Diversion payment to cover remaining needs. EXAMPLE : A Diversion payment for April and May cannot cover the Selick family’s need. The CAO offers SNAP benefits, MA, and community service referrals to cover some needs. This enables a Diversion payment to meet remaining needs.

REFUSAL OF SNAP BENEFITS If an applicant does not want SNAP benefits, the CAO considers the funds needed for food during the Diversion period as part of the family’s total financial need. EXAMPLE: A parent and children apply for an August Diversion payment to cover food and a car payment. The family refuses SNAP benefits. A Diversion payment covers the car payment , but the family still needs $200 for food. A church food bank verifies it will provide needed groceries, equivalent to $200. The CAO can authorize Diversion.

H ELP FROM THIRD PARTY If the family’s financial need exceeds the lump sum maximum FSA for three months, the applicant may be eligible for Diversion by verifying that a third party will pay the difference. EXAMPLE: A parent , on maternity leave, needs a Diversion payment to cover three months of expenses until return ing to work. A ll employer benefits but medical have been exhausted . A three-month Diversion payment falls short $400 to meet the needs. A relative verifies they will provide the $400. The CAO can authorize Diversion.

“IN KIND” BENEFITS An applicant may choose “ in kind” supplemental benefits, such as bags of food or clothes. The CAO must determine if “in kind” help meets a specific need in the Diversion period. If so, the CAO subtracts the estimated dollar amount of “in kind” benefits from the total need. If not, the CAO must calculate what funds still are required. EXAMPLE: “In kind” benefits covering need Parents , and three teen children , need a Diversion payment for July and August rent, utilities, plus school clothes and shoes. Diversion falls short $325. They list clothing and shoe items, with their value, if bought new. Clothing is $200; shoes are $150. A thrift shop verifies it will provide “in kind” payment to meet all clothing and shoe needs. By covering the total need, this “in kind” payment is worth $350 – which more than meets the $325 gap not covered by Diversion. EXAMPLE: “In kind” benefits not covering need . In the example above, the thrift shop can provide the school clothing but not the shoes, valued at $150. Unless the household can cover this need, the CAO cannot authorize Diversion.

TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT One way an applicant can find needed funds to make a Diversion payment possible is to seek temporary employment during the Diversion period, until the new job starts . EXAMPLE: Parent applies for a three-month Diversion payment until they finish training as a lab technician and starts work. The Diversion payment falls short $400 to cover the family’s needs. The parent decides to work weekends as a server until training ends. The employer verifies the income should be $450 during the Diversion period. The CAO can authorize Diversion.