CalWORKs Policy - Department of Public Social Services

CW 81-215.1 -
Definition
CW 81-200 DIVERSION SERVICES
What are diversion services?
A diversion service provides a lump sum payment to
apparently eligible CalWORKs applicants with the
intent of diverting them from long-term aid. The
payment covers a specific unforeseen and nonrecurrent
need that removes obstacles from
continuing, beginning or obtaining a job.
See CW 40-129 Immediate Need (IN) for more
information.
What is the diversion period?
It is the time period represented by the value of the
diversion payment divided by the current Maximum
Aid Payment (MAP) amount for the Assistance Unit
(AU).
EXAMPLE
In March, an AU of four (4) received a payment in the
amount of $2,600. The AU’s diversion period is
considered three (3) months ($2,600 divided by $862
= 3.0). Partial months do not count.
CW 81-215.2 -
Informing Applicants
Who informs applicants about diversion?
It is the responsibility of the CalWORKs Intake
Eligibility Worker (EW) to inform all applicants about
the diversion services during the initial intake
interview. To ensure that all applicants have been
informed about the diversion payment option prior to
the regular processing of the CalWORKs application,
the EW must:
• Explain and have the applicant complete and
sign the PA 2019 (out of drawer), Diversion
Informing Notice, in duplicate.
• File the original PA 2019 in the case record
and the second copy must be given to the
applicant.
Applicants applying for homeless assistance must be
evaluated for Diversion. If the applicant qualifies for
diversion, he/she must be given the opportunity to
choose a diversion payment or homeless assistance.