016.20.98 Ark. Code R. 032
This directive provides instructions for handling TEA Diversion Payments, Employment Bonuses and Extended Support Services Transportation Benefit payments in the Food Stamp Program.
DIVERSION ASSISTANCE -- Diversion Assistance is a one-time payment to or on behalf of the family that will resolve a financial problem so that the adult can maintain and/or obtain employment. Diversion Assistance is available to an adult only once during his or her lifetime. See TEA 2010 for additional information.
In the Food Stamp Program, Diversion Assistance payments will be excluded as a nonrecurring lump sum payment. See FSC 4950 for instructions on handling lump sum payments.
EMPLOYMENT BONUS -- An Employment Bonus cash payment will be made to any family who becomes ineligible for TEA cash assistance due to employment or who requests the TEA case be closed due to employment, unless the family has already received an Employment Bonus within the preceding twelve months. The amount of the bonus payment will be equal to the amount of the last regular TEA cash payment. See TEA 5130 for additional information.
In both the regular Food Stamp Prosram and the Simplified Food Stamp Program. Employment Bonuses payments will be counted as unearned income in the food stamp budget in the month received.
EXTENDED SUPPORT TRANSPORTATION PAYMENTS - When a TEA case closes due to employment, the family is automatically eligible to receive two months of Extended Support, Transportation payments in the amount of $200 each month. These payments are intended to help the family meet transportation costs in the first two months following termination of TEA cash assistance. See TEA 5140 for additional information.
In both the regular Food Stamp Program and the Simplified Food Stamp Program. Extended Support Transportation benefit payments will be excluded as a reimbursement for a job-related expense to the extent that these payments do not exceed actual job-related expenses for transportation costs.
Example A household member receives an Extended Support Transportation payment in the amount of $200. The member's transportation expenses total SI50. $50 will be shown as unearned income in the food stamp budget.
Transportation costs may include the expenses of purchasing, repairing or maintaining a car. Transportation costs may also include payments made for public or private transportation to the employment site. Transportation costs will be verified to the extent that it is practical to do so. For example, a household may be able to verify the costs of repairing a car or purchasing tires. However, they may not be able to furnish receipts for gas. In that case, the county office worker may use the current State reimbursement rate of $.28 per mile times the round trip mileage to the work site to determine the cost of transportation to work
Inquiries to Betty Helmbeck, Food Stamp Section, (501) 682-8284
016.20.98 Ark. Code R. 032