Up-Front Diversion

1
Up-Front Diversion

• Agency for Workforce Innovation
• Statewide Training
• Spring 2005

2
Overview

• Not all TCA applicants need on-going monthly cash
  assistance
• The family may have an emergency or unexpected
  need that can be resolved through a one-time
  payment or short-term services
• The applicant may have a job or the confirmation
  of a job that (s)he can begin if the emergency is
  resolved
• The applicant may be able to avoid on-going
  emergencies through planning and income
• The RWB is responsible for determining
  eligibility
• An Up-Front Diversion payment of up to 1,000 is
  a once in a lifetime payment

3
Four Prioritized Steps

• Step 1 Linking applicants with job
  opportunities which includes
• Verifying the individual is a TCA applicant and
  not currently a recipient of TCA
• Beginning the WT Work Registration process
• Engagement in a work activity and job search

4
Four Prioritized Steps

• Step 2 Offering services, such as childcare or
  transportation
• Step 3 Screening applicants to respond to the
  emergency situation
• Step 4 Offering a once in a lifetime payment of
  UP TO 1000 PER FAMILY

5
Determining if the Applicant is Appropriate for
Diversion

• Would the applicant be more appropriately served
  with applicant support services or a payment of
  up to 1,000 rather than cash assistance?
• Does the applicant have a history of retaining
  employment?
• If the emergency or unexpected situation is
  resolved, would the applicant gain employment
  and/or retain employment?

6
Eligibility Requirements

• The RWB must
• Verify that the individual is an applicant for
  TCA
• Document the identity and citizenship of the
  applicant
• Use the Eligibility Form for TANF Funded Services
  (AWI WTP 0005),
• Review the FLORIDA system for citizenship data

7
Eligibility Requirements

• The RWB must document that the household meets
  the definition of family
• Use the Eligibility Form for TANF Funded
  Services, AWI WTP Form 0005
• Use FLORIDA system to verify data
• The RWB must document the household composition,
  including names and Social Security Numbers
• Use the Eligibility Form for TANF Funded Services
• Use FLORIDA system to verify data
• Update information in OSST, if appropriate

8
Eligibility Criteria

• The RWB must document the emergency or unexpected
  situation, that if resolved, would eliminate the
  need for on-going assistance
• The RWB should document that the family has the
  means to meet their on-going needs if Up-Front
  Diversion assistance is provided

9
RWB Provided Diversion Services

• Intended to meet emergency needs, not on-going
  basic needs
• Are considered non-assistance
• Must be recorded in OSST
• Utilize local RWB TANF funds rather than DCF funds

10
What is Non-Assistance?

• Non-assistance cannot provide for on-going
  needs examples include
• Non-recurrent short term benefits (no more than
  four months) designed to deal with an emergency
  need
• Support services for employed families
• Work subsidies (paid through a third party)
• Resume development, use of resource room, case
  management

11
Applicants Responsibilities

• Sign an agreement to receive a diversion payment
  INSTEAD OF on-going cash
• Understand that the entire TANF eligible
  household cannot receive TCA for three months
  after receipt of a diversion payment unless an
  emergency exists
• Understand that the family is responsible for
  meeting their on-going needs

12
DCF Issues the Payment

• Enters information in the FLORIDA system
• Must process the request within five working days
• Counts as a lump sum asset in the month of
  receipt for Food Stamps and Medicaid
• Does not count as income

13
Up-Front Diversion Payment

• Does not count against individuals TCA time
  limit
• Can withdraw request to receive an Up-Front
  Diversion payment anytime before the money is
  released
• May receive transitional childcare, if eligible
  and if funds are available

14
Child Care During the Up-Front Diversion Process

• The applicant must participate in the WT Work
  Registration process during diversion approval
  process
• Applicant should be given 30-day childcare
  referral to participate in applicant activities
• If employment is not secured and started within
  30 days, the applicant childcare ends

• If employment is secured within 90 days of the
  start of the Up-Front Diversion process, the
  family is eligible for transitional childcare
• Use the date on the bottom of the Up-Front
  Diversion Screening form AWI 2073(a) to
  determine this date

15
Reapplication

• If an Up-Front Diversion payment is received, the
  family cannot re-apply for TCA for 3 months after
  receipt of payment unless they meet a qualified
  emergency
• The RWB must determine if a qualified emergency
  exists
• The RWB must approve or deny the emergency
  request for reapplication

16
Qualified Emergency

• Hospitalization or illness that results in a loss
  of work or income
• Loss of housing
• Natural disaster
• Other situations that impact employment

17
Repayment After Reapplication

• If an approved emergency exists and the family is
  re-approved for TCA, DCF must pro-rate the
  diversion payment over an eight month period and
  deduct from any TCA the family is eligible to
  receive
• Will be deducted for eight months or until the
  end of their time limit, whichever comes first

18
Up-Front Diversion (UFD) Flow Chart
RWB uses the income reported by the applicant on
the date of application to determine income
eligibility using the Diversion Services
Eligibility Screening Tool AWI 2073(b)

• Individual applies for TCA

RWB engages applicant in WT Work Registration
process. If considered a good candidate for
diversion begin the screening process using the
UFD Screening Form 2073(a)
If potentially eligible, applicant will document
household information, emergency need, etc.
Applicant and RWB provider must complete and sign
the Agreement for UFD Payment/Services form (AWI
2075)
RWB determines if citizenship and family income
eligibility requirements are met using the
Eligibility Form for TANF Funded Services (AWI
0005)
RWB provider approves or denies the services
and/or payment and forwards copy of the AWI 2075
and AWI 2073(b) to DCF
19
Questions or Comments
An equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary
aids and services are available upon request to
individuals with disabilities. All voice
telephone numbers on this document may be reached
by persons using TTY/TDD equipment via the
Florida Relay Service at 711.