Diversion

(1) (a) When an applicant applies for cash assistance under this part, the department shall assess whether the applicant should be helped by: (i) diversion to avoid extended cash assistance; or (ii) normal cash assistance under this part. (b) In completing the assessment under this section, the department may consider the following: (i) the applicant's employment history; (ii) the likelihood of the applicant obtaining immediate full-time employment; (iii) the applicant's general prospect for obtaining full-time employment; (iv) the applicant's need for cash assistance to pay for housing or substantial and unforeseen expenses or work-related expenses; (v) housing stability; and (vi) the adequacy of the applicant's child care arrangements, if applicable. (2) If the department determines that the applicant should be helped by diversion and the applicant agrees with this determination, the department shall provide a single payment of cash assistance up to three times the maximum monthly amount of cash assistance that the applicant would be otherwise qualified to receive based on household size. (3) If the department determines that diversion is not appropriate, an applicant may receive cash assistance as provided in this part.