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203.2 TANF 7/21 Page 2b

Example 3: A case passed the maximum income screening and is otherwise eligible. The client has $1,500 in unmet expenses. The client has $320 net countable income. The client requested assistance from the Salvation Army, and they issued him a $300 VISA gift card. EA will be issued for $880 ($1,500 unmet expenses, minus $320 net countable income, minus $300 VISA gift card equals $880).

Example 4: A case passed the maximum income screening and is otherwise eligible. The client has $1,000 in unmet expenses. The client works part-time and has $475 net countable income. The client states that she spent $400 of her earnings. EA will be issued for $525 ($1,000 unmet need, minus $475 net countable income equals $525). Although the client spent some of her net countable income for the month, the EW is required to count the entire net countable income that was available to the client for the month.

Example 5: A VIEW participant experiences a fire in which his family loses their clothing and household furnishings. The client has $1,400 in unmet needs. The Salvation Army issued him a clothing voucher for $500. The client works part-time and his monthly net countable income is $540. EA will be issued for $360 ($1,400 unmet need, minus $500 voucher, minus $540 net countable income equals $360).

Example 6: A case passes the maximum income screening and is otherwise eligible. The client lost his job, has a summons for unlawful detainer, and is seeking $932 to prevent eviction. The client also declares he needs $327 to pay his car payment and $181 to pay his car insurance. The worker explains Diversionary Assistance (DA) and Emergency Assistance to the client. DA will resolve the crisis and will be more beneficial for the client as it prevents the eviction and covers the additional expenses. The client applies for diversionary assistance.

Note: The approval of the eviction prevention payment cannot be used to cover items such as food, shelter items, clothing, insurance, etc.

B. Available Resources - Emergency Assistance cannot be granted when other resources are available to meet the family's needs. EA cannot be granted when there is another agency in the community, or other immediate resources which are known to meet the particular need promptly in that particular type of emergency. If other resources are available but are insufficient to meet the particular immediate needs, EA may be granted. Evidence must be entered in the case record that specific community resources have been investigated. TANF does not evaluate liquid resources. The cash on hand field in the VaCMS is not required to be completed.

Example: On May 2nd, a TANF household experiences an emergency as a result of a fire. The household sought emergency housing and other necessary items. An application was submitted for the emergency assistance program. The household emergency needs total $1,700, and $200 was provided by a community resource. EA of $1,500 was granted to supplement the community resource.

The net countable income immediately available to the family, at the time of application, cannot exceed the maximum income limit and must be evaluated in determining the amount of assistance granted. If the client is ineligible in the month of application due to excess income, but meets the income requirement in the month following the month of application, EA can be approved, as long as all other eligibility criteria are met and the applicant has remaining unmet needs. The provisions of Section 305 are generally applicable except that income disregards are not applicable.

Note: Anticipated wages must be evaluated even though they may not be available to meet the emergency need.

TANF Transmittal 71