46-298. Diversion from long-term assistance; report; definition

A. At the time an applicant's employability is assessed during the initial application for assistance, the department shall determine whether the applicant should be offered services under the diversion option rather than long-term cash assistance. The assessment shall consider the following:

1. The applicant's employment history.

2. The likelihood of the applicant obtaining full-time employment given the applicant's education, training and work experience within ninety days of the initial application.

3. The applicant's need for cash assistance.

B. If the department finds that the applicant is eligible for the diversion option, it shall explain the benefits and requirements to the applicant, including the amount of the diversion option payment.

C. If the department and the applicant agree to select the diversion option as the appropriate means to self-sufficiency, the department shall issue benefits, if the applicant is eligible, within three working days after the applicant submits a completed application, including all required information and necessary documentation.

D. The department shall provide a dollar amount equal to three times the monthly amount of cash assistance for which the applicant qualifies. The applicant is also eligible to receive employment services, as defined in section 46-300.01, subsection I, administered by the department for ninety days from the initial application to expedite employment placement.

E. The applicant must sign an agreement that lists the requirements and conditions of the diversion option.

F. The department shall expedite employment placement services if these services are requested by an applicant who is approved for and participating in the diversion option.

G. An applicant approved for the diversion option is eligible for all other support services for which recipients of temporary assistance for needy families are automatically eligible.

H. If the applicant decides to reapply for long-term cash assistance within three months from the date of initial application, the department shall prorate the diversion payment to the applicant over a three month period beginning on the date of initial application and subtract this amount from the temporary assistance for needy families payment the applicant's assistance unit receives.

I. If the diversion option is not appropriate for an applicant or the applicant chooses not to participate in the diversion option, the applicant may receive cash assistance as provided under this chapter.

J. The director of the department shall submit an annual report to the joint legislative budget committee ninety days after the end of the fiscal year beginning with fiscal year 2008-2009. The report shall include:

1. The number of recipients provided services under the diversion option.

2. The number of recipients who reapply for long-term cash assistance within one hundred eighty days after initially participating in the diversion program.

3. The number of recipients who obtained employment within ninety days of receiving assistance under the diversion option.

K. For the purposes of this section, " diversion option" means granting an amount of cash benefits to certain applicants who are eligible for long-term cash assistance but who have only short-term needs and who find the services described in this section the most appropriate means to self-sufficiency.