2005 Arizona Revised Statutes - Revised Statutes §46-298  Diversion from long-term assistance; 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. The assessment shall consider the following:

1. The applicant's employment history.

2. The likelihood of the applicant obtaining immediate, full-time employment given the applicant's education, training and work experience.

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 cash assistance payment determined appropriate by the department. In determining the amount of the cash assistance, the department shall consider housing expenses, automobile expenses, repair or replacement of major household appliances, improvements to restore real property to a habitable condition and work related expenses.

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 of cash assistance of not more than three times the monthly amount of cash assistance for which the applicant qualifies.

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 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, the applicant may receive assistance as provided under this chapter.

J. For purposes of calculating assistance pursuant to section 46-292, subsection F and section 46-294, subsection A, the department shall use the initial date of application. The payment amount offered under the diversion option shall be converted into the amount of time the individual would have been on the temporary assistance for needy families program to receive that amount of cash assistance. This time period shall apply towards the calculation pursuant to section 46-294, subsection A.

K. The director of the department shall submit a full report to the joint legislative budget committee five years after the initial implementation date of the diversion program. The report shall include:

1. The number of applicants offered services under the diversion option.

2. The number of applicants who reapply for long-term cash assistance after initially participating in the diversion program.

L. The joint legislative budget committee shall review the report and make a recommendation to the legislature to continue or discontinue the program.

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