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Diversion Cash Assistance

Diversion cash assistance is an emergency cash benefit available to families if certain standards are met.

To receive diversion cash assistance, a family must meet all the eligibility rules to receive assistance from the Colville Tribal TANF program. A family is not eligible for diversion cash assistance if any adult member of the household received diversion cash assistance within the last twelve months.

Additional criteria which must be met include:

A.     Have a current or bona fide or approved need for living expenses.

B.     Provide proof that the need for living expenses exists.

C.     Have or expect to get enough income or resources to support the family for the next twelve months.

D.     TANF is not duplicating services or financial assistance provided by the Employment & Training Program.

Diversion Cash Assistance may be used to help pay one or more of the following needs:

A.     Housing

B.     Expenses to get or keep job

C.     Child Care

D.     Transportation

E.      Food Costs

The maximum amount (per family) of a Diversion Cash Assistance payment is one-thousand, five-hundred dollars. If a bona fide need is less than one-thousand, five-hundred dollars, the lesser amount will be authorized.

A Diversion Cash Assistance payment may be authorized once per twelve month period. The twelve month period starts the first of the month in which the diversion cash assistance is authorized.

Whenever possible, the Diversion Cash Assistance payment is to be paid directly to the service provider(s). 

TANF "Incentive" PROGRAM

The Colville Tribal TANF program has implemented an "incentive" program. The purpose of the "incentive" program is to encourage program participants to achieve goals which will lead you towards the stated TANF program goal of self-sufficiency for you and your family.

The "incentive" program provides financial awards for participants when clear objectives are met. The "incentive" will be awarded with authority and approval by the Social Worker handling your case. It is necessary for you to communicate with your Social Worker in regards to any incentive you would like to work towards achieving.

Incentive awards can be authorized for meeting various objectives. Some examples of an incentive being awarded include:

·         Earning your High School Diploma or GED

·         Improved Grades and Attendance for Students

·         Obtaining a Driver’s License

·         Participants who are working and have excellent attendance and job performance

·         Completion of alcohol or drug program

·         Attending Alcoholic Anonymous or Narcotic Anonymous meetings

·         Attending TANF Training and Development classes and receiving a certificate for completion of the course, these courses included: Money Management, Interviewing Skills, Resume Writing, How to Keep your Job, TANF Orientation and other courses which will be offered by the TANF program

·         Removing a barrier

·         Other incentive which are approved by the Social Worker

Your Individual Development Plan needs to reflect the objective you are trying to achieve and there fore is very important you maintain communication with your Social Worker in regards to the "incentive" program.

Transitional Services

Colville Tribal TANF participants may be eligible for transitional services for up to twelve (12) months after they become employed and lose eligibility for the cash grant due to earned income. (Income that exceeds Payment Guidelines).

1.      In order to be eligible, both adults must be actively participating in work related activities during the time the family received TANF cash assistance. Work Experience placements are considered an employment related activity.

2.      At least one adult in the household is working.

3.      The participant is in compliance with the Department of Child Support

4.      The transitional assistance will be used for employment related activities such as automobile repair, tools related to employment, union dues, licenses, gasoline, child care and one time basic emergent need to retain employment.  The one time basic emergent need must have Program Manager (or designee) approval.

5.      A written request must be received by the Colville Tribal TANF program before authorization for services is made. These funds will be distributed in the form of voucher, purchase order, or supplies. No cash will be given directly to the family.

6.      To be eligible for transitional services, the children for whom the participant was receiving TANF assistance must still be residing in the home.

7.      A transitional/retention plan must be completed by the Social Worker and program participant prior to authorization of transitional/retention services. This plan must be completed by the end of the month following the month in which they became ineligible for the TANF cash grant.

8.      If income exceeds 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, the program participant is not eligible for transitional/retention services.  Standards are subject to change annually. During months in which there are three pay periods, we are to prospectively budget. If the client meets the income guidelines prospectively, they will be considered eligible for the Transitional Plan.

 Transitional services begin the month following the determination that they will be over income for a TANF cash grant. While in Transition, clients will be required to comply with the following:

a.    submit monthly income

b.      report any changes, as outlined in the Rights & Responsibilities form, within 10 days

c.       comply with the Office of Child Support Enforcement

 Transitional clients may be eligible for incentives for successful employment as outlined in the Incentive Program. These incentives will be determined by the date of hire. The immediate supervisor must complete a Work Incentive Performance Appraisal form to determine that the client qualifies and has met successful employment and attendance goals.

Relative Care

A Caretaker Relative who provides the care and control of the dependent child and meets one or more of the following criteria:

a. A Single Parent with child/ren or expecting a child (eligibility is no sooner than the third trimester of pregnancy. See no. 5), or a two parent family with child/ren or expecting a child (eligibility is no sooner than the third trimester of pregnancy. See no. 5

b. An Adoptive Parent who is needy

c.  A married relative, a person who is or was married to the biological or adoptive relative to the child and has maintained a care-taking role with the dependent child for a significant period of time

d. A care taker relative (needy or non-needy), including non-parent with child/ren who provides evidence of legal guardianship

e. May include extended family members on a case by case determination with approval by the Program Manager or his/her designee.

© Copyright 2006. Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

COLVILLE TRIBAL TANF PROGRAM

For comments or questions please contact: carey.batten@colvilletribes.com