Transcript Up-Front Diversion

Up-Front Diversion
Agency for Workforce Innovation
Statewide Training
Spring 2005
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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
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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
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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
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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?
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Applicant’s 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
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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
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Up-Front Diversion
Payment

Does not count against individual’s
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
13
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
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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
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Qualified Emergency

Hospitalization or
illness that results in a
loss of work or income

Loss of housing

Natural disaster

Other situations that
impact employment
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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
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Up-Front Diversion (UFD) Flow Chart
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)
RWB determines if citizenship and
family income eligibility
requirements are met using the
Eligibility Form for TANF Funded
Services (AWI 0005)
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)]
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 provider approves or denies the
services and/or payment and forwards
copy of the AWI 2075 and AWI 18
2073(b) to DCF
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.
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