Diversion Cash Assistance
by: Northwest Justice Project
It is an emergency grant to a family facing a temporary financial crisis. You may receive up to $1,500.00 in any twelve month period. The amount you get cannot exceed $1,500.00 and may be less.
You have the right to apply in writing at a DSHS office for Diversion Assistance and the right to a decision in writing.
A family that is eligible for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or State Family Assistance (SFA) may get Diversion Cash Assistance. Your family must choose between TANF or SFA and Diversion Cash Assistance. A family may not receive them both at the same time.
DSHS diversion cash assistance will cover many needs, including help with transportation such as car repairs, child care, medical, housing and food expenses. The family will qualify for help if the diversion grant can reasonably be expected to keep the family from having to apply for TANF.
You might want to get Diversion Cash Assistance if you have a one-time or emergent need. Or you might want Diversion Cash Assistance if you will be having a regular income soon (such as pay from a job starting soon).
If you believe that your family may need to apply for TANF within a year after getting Diversion Cash Assistance, you may not want to apply for Diversion Assistance. This is because a family that goes on TANF within a year will have to pay back a share of the diversion grant it received. You should also be aware that a family would receive considerably more through TANF in a year than it would through a one-time Diversion Cash Assistance award.
For example, if a family chose to receive $1500 in Diversion Assistance and nine months later applied for TANF, the family would have to repay $375. If this family had chosen to receive TANF, they could have received $642 per month for the entire year, for a total of $7704.00.
If your family does apply for TANF within one year of getting Diversion Assistance, DSHS will collect any repayment owed out of the family's monthly TANF grant by reducing the grant by 5%. DSHS WILL NOT collect the repayment if the family goes off of assistance.
DSHS offers two other emergency programs for needy families, Additional Requirements and CEAP. Additional Requirements is extra emergency money for families that are already receiving welfare (TANF) benefits. CEAP is for families who may or may not be receiving welfare. Ask for our brochures about these programs if you would like more information.
You may apply for food stamps, medical assistance and child care assistance at the same time you are applying for Diversion. Be sure to ask DSHS for these benefits, too.
If you do not agree with the decision regarding your diversion assistance, ask DSHS to put it in writing. You have the right to a fair hearing. If you want to fight the denial, you may ask for a fair hearing. Fill out a fair hearing request at your local DSHS office or write to Office of Administrative Hearings, P.O. Box 42489, Olympia, WA 98504. If it is an emergency, you may ask to have your hearing held as soon as possible by calling the Office of Administrative Hearings at (360) 664-8717 or 1-800-583-8261. This is called an "expedited" hearing.
This publication provides general information concerning your rights and responsibilities. It is not intended as a substitute for specific legal advice.
This information is current as of the date of its printing, March 2003.
© 2003 Northwest Justice Project.
1-888-201-1014, TTY 1-888-201-9737
(Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Washington State Access to Justice Network and individuals for non-commercial use only.)
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