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:

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

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

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

4. 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:

1. Housing

2. Expenses to get or keep job

3. Child Care

4. Transportation

5. 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).

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