ARAPAHOE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES POLICY Attachment (6) to BoCC BSR dated Community Support Services

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1 ARAPAHOE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES POLICY Attachment (6) to BoCC BSR dated Community Support Services POLICY TITLE DIVERSION (STATE AND COUNTY) PROGRAM POLICY NO. DEPUTY DIRECTOR APPROVAL REFERENCE C.R.S CDHS Volume EFFECTIVE DATE JUNE 1, 2018 DIRECTOR APPROVAL BACKGROUND In addition to the State Diversion program, Arapahoe County elects to establish a separate and optional County Diversion Program using County block grant monies to provide short-term assistance to families who do not qualify for Basic Cash Assistance, yet need some support in order to maintain sustainable employment. Arapahoe County shall provide a Colorado Works County Diversion Program referred to as Initial County Diversion. An eligibility determination for applicants and participants shall be in accordance with the following guidelines. PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to identify the eligibility and suitability criteria for diversion payments, outline programmatic components associated with such payments, and establish a period of ineligibility for receiving ongoing cash assistance and barring hardship once diversion has been issued. Maximum dollar thresholds are also established in this policy. A diversion payment is a needs-based, cash or cash-equivalent payment designed to meet short-term needs. Payments are designed to address specific crisis situations or episodes of need and are not designed to meet basic needs ongoing. Families who meet eligibility criteria for basic cash assistance may be eligible for a state diversion payment. Families who otherwise meet the eligibility criteria for basic cash assistance, but are over the income guidelines (needs standard) and whose income is less than $75,000 annually may be eligible for a county diversion payment. In Arapahoe County, both state and county diversions are available. They are only to be made when there is no need for ongoing support or more extensive case management or services, and the payment is expected to substantially promote or maintain a family s economic well-being through attachment to employment or another steady source of income. Prior to issuing a diversion payment, Arapahoe County will determine an ongoing need is not anticipated. DEFINITIONS Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF): Federal name for The Colorado Works Program. Basic Cash Assistance (BCA): The assistance grant given to eligible participants of The 1

2 Colorado Works Program County Diversion: A one-time form of assistance given to individuals not eligible for BCA in need of short-term assistance necessary to maintain sustainable employment. Individual Plan (IP): Agreement between the county and the participant identifying terms and goals enabling a participant to become self-sufficient. Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS): State prescribed computer system used to maintain program eligibility and case management activities. POI: Period ofineligibility State Diversion: A one-time form of assistance given to individuals eligible for BCA in need of short-term assistance necessary to maintain sustainable employment. POLICY: Arapahoe County provides cash or cash-equivalent payments not to exceed $5,000 total per family to eligible and suitable families based upon established need, in conjunction with the determination the need is not expected to be ongoing. Eligibility To receive a State Diversion payment, applicants must be found eligible for Basic Cash Assistance (BCA) by the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). Payments will be made through CBMS. Those who are otherwise eligible for BCA but are over the income guidelines (needs standard) and whose income is less than $75,000 annually may be eligible for County Diversion. Arapahoe County families with dependent child(ren) are eligible to apply for Initial County Diversion if: 1. They have been determined over the income guidelines for BCA, and 2. Gross monthly income for the household must be below one hundred eighty five percent (185%) of the Federal Poverty Level guidelines for household size. All countable gross monthly income received in the month prior and the month of application will be used to determine eligibility. Need The applicant must demonstrate a need for a specific item or type of assistance promoting or maintaining permanent employment, and/or economically stabilizing the family, and is likely to ensure long-term economic well-being. The following criteria must be established: 1. The applicant (or participant) does not need long-term cash assistance as determined by an assessment 2. The applicant (or participant) demonstrates a need for a specific item or type of assistance 3. Applicants must have applied for and complied with: a. Child Support Enforcement b. Childcare Assistance, as applicable, and c. All other available assistance This assistance may not extend beyond four (4) months, and those who receive a diversion payment must agree to a period of ineligibility (POI) for Colorado Works (both BCA and diversion), unless Good Cause is determined via extenuating circumstances to be determined by Arapahoe County. The POI begins on the first day of the month following the payment month. For amounts in excess of $500 but no greater than $1,000, the POI shall be six months For amounts in excess of $1000 but no greater than $5,000, the POI shall be 12 months Suitability In order to be eligible for a diversion payment in Arapahoe County, one adult member of the household must meet one or more of the following criteria: The applicant must be pregnant or have a child(ren) under 18 years of age or will graduate by their 19th birthday Stable housing must be available 2

3 The applicant must demonstrate a need for a specific time or type of assistance One adult member of the household is employed or have a verified offer for employment The applicant must demonstrate the ability to maintain employment during the POI The applicant must demonstrate the ability to meet their budgeted needs during the POI Assessment Arapahoe County conducts in-depth assessments of family members determined to be a part of the assistance unit at application. An Arapahoe County worker will assess the family to develop the most appropriate plan for them to meet their long-term economic security goals. Diversions will be issued based upon assessed need. Arapahoe County workers engage in prospective budgeting and progressive wage employment with applicants to ensure needs can be met after the diversion grant is issued throughout the duration of the POI. In-depth assessment will include: Completion of an Application for Assistance, Initial Assessment, County Diversion Assessment, and a Diversion Needs Budget Worksheet Individual Plan (IP) An application for child-care through the Low Income Child Care Assistance Program if clients wish to have child care eligibility determined In addition to diversion payments, eligible participants may receive supportive services based on the assessed needs of the family. Payment A County Diversion grant may not exceed $5,000 Maximum assistance approved for a State Diversion will be based on the assessment and the household s documented need A household may not receive more than one County Diversion grant in a lifetime span. However, the County Director or designee has the discretion to override the number and amount of county diversions if an extreme hardship exists The CCSS Administrator or designee shall approve all County Diversion payments Payments will be issued on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card All Diversion payments shall be approved and entered into CBMS Payment will be based on the participant s actual need estimate rather than a fixed formula Arapahoe County will not pay relatives/friends A diversion payment may not be made in the same month BCA is received Allowable Use of Funds Diversion assistance may be used for, but is not limited to, the following types of short-term assistance: Work-related expenses such as uniforms, dues, or supplies Transportation costs including car repair, car insurance, etc. Housing Training and/or education Participation in Post-Employment Program Amelioration of any other identified barrier to employment or economic well-being Terms Those receiving a diversion payment in Arapahoe County must develop an IP to establish the following: 1. The specific need(s) for and specific type(s) of non-recurring cash payment; 2. Sustaining support as to why the recipient does not need long term assistance/ongoing cash assistance. 3. Define the expectations and the terms of diversion payment; 4. Specify the possible impacts on other assistance including Medicaid, SNAP and child care; and 5. Identify the POI to be served 3

4 The IP must be signed by the applicant or recipient, assessment specialist and supervisor or designee. All employment shall be verified prior to assistance. Self-employment is not allowed unless applicant has been successful and financially solvent for the previous six months in the same business and loss of income is due to the economy. A budget line item for actual child care expenses paid will be allowed if verified. Transitional child care through TANF may be provided to County Diversion recipients. An applicant will not be eligible for a Diversion if he/she has been convicted of an Intentional Program Violation (IPV) in any County, has not served their disqualification period, and still owes an overpayment to the County due to the IPV. The applicant is responsible to provide required documentation and verification within ten (10) of being requested. Applicants approved for a Diversion may reapply for Colorado Works prior to the end of the POI. The CCSS Administrator or designee will review such requests to determine if extreme hardship exists warranting the POI be shortened. Payment will be based on the participant s actual estimated need. No applicant is entitled to a diversion payment. Since diversion is not an entitlement and is provided at the county s option and discretion, Arapahoe County reserves the sole authority to grant and deny such requests, and may provide exceptions to any of the above requirements. Eligibility determinations for diversion cannot be appealed. Diversion is dependent on available funding and assistance may be frozen at any time due to budget constraints, which may also affect any and all pending applications. The decision to approve a diversion grant must be within budget allocations and as funding allows. When necessary, recoveries may be pursued. AN APPLICATION FOR COUNTY DIVERSION MAY BE DENIED IF: The applicant is currently under sanction for welfare fraud, intentional program violation, or has not made restitution for a monetary claim. The assistance unit contains an individual who has received TANF assistance in Colorado or another state as an adult for sixty (60) or more cumulative time limited months. The applicant for County Diversion is a fugitive felon, or violating a condition of parole or probation. The applicant is currently in non-compliance with any human services program. The applicant is not paying, or has not made arrangements to pay their Child Support Enforcement order if one has been established. The applicant is a person convicted of a drug-related felony after 07/01/1997. The applicant is participating in a strike. The applicant has quit a job or refused employment without good cause. Diversion would not alleviate financial instability. There is documented substance abuse and failure to comply with a treatment plan. Previous diversion grants were not used as designated in the associated IP without good cause. The household had sufficient income and the current specific need exists because of mismanagement of funds. The household has liquid resources sufficient to cover current needs. The household has made other arrangements to cover their immediate needs. The applicant fails to show a valid driver s license and proof of insurance for all transportation requests. Applicants who are employees of Arapahoe County and who are requesting County Diversion: Shall make application, be interviewed, and complete the Assessment and Diversion Needs Budget worksheet with a CCSS CW Supervisor The CCSS CW Supervisor will review the request and make a recommendation to the Administrator 4

5 Once a determination has been made by the CCSS Administrator, the CCSS CW Supervisor shall process the approval or denial of the diversion. CONTACT CSS Division CentrePoint and Arapahoe Plazas 5