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801.6-801.7 TANF MANUAL 7/21 Page 4

In determining the applicant's need for assistance, consider the applicant's immediate ongoing income only. Do not include terminated income or anticipated income in determining the applicant's need. Do not enter terminated or TANF anticipated income in VaCMS. Follow these steps to determine the amount of the diversionary assistance payment:

A. Calculate a maximum diversionary assistance amount - Compute the monthly grant amount for the assistance unit. Any ongoing income, such as social security income, will be counted. (Income from a terminated source, or income that has not started, is not considered ongoing income for diversionary assistance purposes.) Multiply the monthly grant amount by four.

B. Determine the basic needs (as described in 801.1) of the assistance unit -The diversionary assistance amount can cover more than one basic need and can include items such as shelter payments, utility payments, and transportation assistance. (Note: When the need is vehicle repair, the vehicle must be registered - either solely or jointly - in the name of at least one of the household members applying for assistance.) Document the case as to the needs that will be covered and the verified cost of providing for each need. The case record must contain copies of documents (such as bills, cut-off notices, rental agreements, and automobile repair estimates) that verify each need.

Choose the most cost-effective, appropriate solution to the applicant's needs. For example, if the emergency has created a need for transportation, the agency may calculate the cost of bus tickets versus the price of repairing the car.

C. Compare the amounts in A and B -The lesser amount of A and B is the amount of the diversionary assistance payment.

Example: Ms. Z applies for diversionary assistance for herself and two children. Her car broke down, and she is unable to get to work. As there is no countable income, the maximum she can receive is $1,836 ($459 x 4 = $1,836). There is no other transportation available, and Ms. Z needs her car to get to work. Ms. Z provides verification that the repairs to her car will cost $900. Since $900 is less than the maximum available diversionary assistance payment amount of $1,836 and Ms. Z did not report any additional needs, the diversionary assistance amount would be $900.

Supervisory approval is required for all diversionary assistance payments. It is the responsibility of the supervisor to ensure that the payment is made by a check to the vendor, or when that is not possible, by a check to the client. In no case is a diversionary assistance payment to be made by debit card.

801.7 PERIOD OF INELIGIBILITY (POI)

A. If an assistance unit receives a diversionary assistance payment, it shall be ineligible for TANF for up to 180 calendar days beginning with the date that the diversionary assistance is certified and authorized. To determine the period of ineligibility follow these steps:

1. Determine the monthly amount of TANF for which the applicant is eligible. If an Intentional Program Violation (IPV) has been committed, exclude the disqualified individual's needs from the monthly grant amount. Follow IPV procedures in Section 102.3.A. Note: To determine how many months will be counted as months of disqualification to be deducted from the individual's IPV penalty period, divide the number of days that are covered in the payment amount (as determined in step 3 below) by 30. Round up to the next whole number.

TANF Transmittal 71