The Florida Senate

414.15  Diversion.--

(1)  A segment of applicants do not need ongoing temporary cash assistance, but, due to an unexpected circumstance or emergency situation, require some immediate assistance in meeting a financial obligation while they are securing employment or child support. These immediate obligations may include a shelter or utility payment, a car repair to continue employment, or other assistance which will alleviate the applicant's emergency financial need and allow the person to focus on obtaining or continuing employment.

(2)  Up-front diversion shall involve four steps:

(a)  Linking applicants with job opportunities as the first option to meet the assistance group's need.

(b)  Where possible, offering one-time help as an alternative to welfare.

(c)  Screening applicants to respond to emergency needs.

(d)  Performing up-front fraud prevention investigations, if appropriate.

(3)  Before finding an applicant family eligible for up-front diversion funds, the department must determine that all requirements of eligibility would likely be met.

(4)  The department shall screen each applicant family on a case-by-case basis for barriers to obtaining or retaining employment. The screening shall identify barriers that, if corrected, may prevent the family from receiving temporary cash assistance on a regular basis. Assistance to overcome a barrier to employment is not limited to cash, but may include vouchers or other in-kind benefits.

(5)  The diversion payment shall be limited to an amount not to exceed 2 months' temporary cash assistance, based on family size.

(6)  The family receiving up-front diversion must sign an agreement restricting the family from applying for temporary cash assistance for 3 months, unless an emergency is demonstrated to the department. If a demonstrated emergency forces the family to reapply for temporary cash assistance within 3 months after receiving a diversion payment, the diversion payment shall be prorated over the 2-month period and subtracted from any regular payment of temporary cash assistance for which the applicant may be eligible.

History.--s. 19, ch. 96-175; s. 14, ch. 97-173.