Diversion Cash Assistance
by: Northwest Justice Project
What is Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA)?
It is an emergency grant to a family facing a temporary financial crisis. You may get up to $1,250.00 in any twelve-month period. The amount you get cannot exceed $1,250.00 and may be less.
How do I get DCA?
You have the right to apply in writing at a DSHS office for Diversion Assistance and the right to a decision in writing.
Who may get DCA?
If you are eligible for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), or State Family Assistance (SFA), you may get DCA. Your family must choose between TANF or SFA and DCA. You may not get them both at the same time.
What emergency needs does DCA cover?
It will cover many needs, including:
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help with transportation such as car repairs;
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child care;
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medical;
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Housing; and
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food expenses.
You will qualify for help if the DCA grant can reasonably be expected to keep you from having to apply for TANF.
Why would I want DCA?
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if you have a one-time or emergent need; or
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if you will be having a regular income soon (such as pay from a job starting soon).
Are there reasons we should NOT apply for Diversion Assistance?
If you believe that you may need to apply for TANF within a year after getting DCA, do not apply for Diversion Assistance. A family that goes on TANF within a year will have to pay back a share of the diversion grant it got. Also note: you would get much more through TANF in a year than you would through a one-time DCA award.
Example: Your family of three chose to get $1250 in DCA. Nine months later, you applied for TANF. You would have to repay $26.80. If you had chosen to get TANF instead, you could have gotten $478 per month for the entire year, for a total of $5736.
If your family does apply for TANF within one year of getting Diversion Assistance, DSHS will collect any repayment owed out of your monthly TANF grant by reducing the grant by 5%. DSHS WILL NOT collect the repayment if you go off assistance.
Are there any other emergency programs available for my family?
DSHS offers two other emergency programs for needy families:
Additional Requirements is extra emergency money for families that are already getting TANF benefits.
CEAP is for families who may or may not be getting welfare.
Our publications about these programs, called Additional Requirements and CEAP (Emergency Assistance), have more information. Get them from www.washingtonlawhelp.org or by calling CLEAR.
At the same time you are applying for DCA, you may also ask for:
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food stamps;
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medical assistance; and
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child care assistance.
DSHS denied our application. What can we do?
If you disagree 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 1-800-583-8271. This is called an "expedited" hearing.
You should also get legal advice:
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If you are low-income and live outside King County, call CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014 between 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
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If you live in King County, call the King County Bar Association's Neighborhood Legal Clinics at (206) 267-7070 between 9:00 a.m. and noon, Monday - Thursday, to schedule a free half-hour of legal advice.
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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, October 2011.
© 2011 Northwest Justice Project. 1-888-201-1014.
(Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and individuals for non-commercial use only.)
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